Rabbitohs to make major coaching change as club sits last on the ladder after horror start to the NRL season

David Furner is poised to return to South Sydney’s coaching staff as Jason Demetriou’s team look to revive their stuttering NRL season.

The Rabbitohs have opened discussions with Furner, who was Tim Sheens’ assistant at the Wests Tigers last season, to rejoin the club.

Furner was previously employed as an assistant coach.

It is understood Furner is yet to sign on the dotted line – but the club – who sit in 17th spot on the NRL ladder, want to provide Demetriou with experience as part of his coaching staff.

Last year in the club’s end-of-season review, the Rabbitohs advised Demetriou to hire a senior assistant to replace John Morris and Sam Burgess.

Latrell Mitchell’s three-week suspension couldn’t have come at a worse time for the embattled South Sydney coach

David Furner is poised to return to South Sydney’s coaching staff as Jason Demetriou’s team look to revive their stuttering NRL season (pictured, in his previous stint at the club in 2018)

Demetriou instead promoted NSW Cup coach Joe O’Callaghan – and he also overlooked the option of introducing Furner in late 2023 as a straight swap for Burgess.

Furner is tipped to focus heavily on defence once he returns.  

‘I’m close with David and I know he’ll have a good impact,’ Demetriou told the Sydney Morning Herald.

It is an area the Rabbitohs need to improve – and quickly.

They are conceding an average of 32.6 points per game, which is the worst defensive record in the competition.

Ominously, South Sydney have the second worst attacking record in the competition with an average 15.6 points scored per game, which is unacceptable given the ability of Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton with ball in hand.

Furner was head coach of the Raiders between 2009 and 2013 before landing assistant coaching roles at the Knights, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Tigers and now the Rabbitohs in recent years.

South Sydney are next in action on Anzac Day against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.