South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett doesn’t expect Sam Burgess to be back to his blockbusting best against Cronulla and urges the veteran to concentrate on the basics during his NRL comeback.
Bennett said Burgess, who has been sidelined for five games due to complications following shoulder surgery, would have a regulated workload against the Sharks at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night.
“He can’t be what he was before he left, he just needs to go back and do little things well,” Bennett said.
With the State of Origin series now in the rear view mirror and Souths nearing full strength, Bennett said the focus was on addressing the annoying trend of surrendering decent leads.
Against St George Illawarra last Friday the Rabbitohs led 14-2 at the hour mark before needing a last-minute try to win 20-16 and hold on to second place.
Bennett added five-eighth Cody Walker was improving with each outing following a flat period after his axing after Origin I.
“It’s an opportunity now for him to play the high form he had prior to Origin,” he said.
Cronulla will field one of their strongest line-ups in recent weeks with Wade Graham and Matt Moylan back from injury plus Andrew Fifita returning from suspension, so Bennett was taking nothing for granted.
“I’m expecting it will be a tough game and not much in it,” he said.
“I just hope we’re disciplined enough ourselves when it counts so not to make it easy for them.”
Souths welcomed retired backline star Greg Inglis back to Redfern this week in a support role, leaving the coach to ponder what might have been.
“I wish he was playing,” a rueful Bennett said.,
“He’s out there helping the players and talking to them and giving a bit of advice here and there, so I’m sure it will be good.
“It’s good to see him back, but his presence as a player was more important than his presence as a coach.”
Inglis retired in April and Bennett scoffed at suggestions the former Queensland and Kangaroos centre and fullback might have a change of heart.
“I think it’s a bit too late, I think that horse has gone, bolted.”
