Rabbitohs confirm Wayne Bennett to coach from 2020

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The South Sydney Rabbitohs are excited to announce the signing of Wayne Bennett as Head Coach for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Bennett is regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time, having coached over 813 first grade games in the NRL and NSWRL competitions since 1987, guiding his teams to over 500 victories.

Bennett has won seven premierships at two different clubs and has guided international teams to Test and World Cup success.

Bennett is the current coach of the England Rugby League team where he coaches Rabbitohs players Sam Burgess, Thomas Burgess and George Burgess; has also coached Australia and was an Assistant Coach with New Zealand; has won five State of Origin series with Queensland; was the inaugural Head Coach of the NRL All Stars; has been named Coach of the Year on four occasions; has coached more games at club level than any Coach in history (813); has coached more seasons than any Coach in history (32); has won more Grand Finals than any other Coach in history (seven); and is the only current Head Coach of an NRL team to have won premierships at more than one NRL Club (six with the Broncos and one with the Dragons).

Bennett's success on field is matched by his skills as a man manager off field, with many current and former players praising Bennett for his approach to caring for players and their families, building an environment in which the can perform at their best week-in and week-out.

Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, says the signing of Wayne Bennett is a fillip for the Club.

"Wayne is one of the best, if the not the best, Rugby League coaches of all time and we are excited to see what he can bring to our Club," Mr Richardson said.

"His football record is second-to-none and his reputation as a leader is also of the highest order.

"Here he will have the opportunity to work with some of the best senior and up-and-coming talent in the game, which from our discussions over the past few weeks I know he is excited about.

"He will also have the opportunity to work as a Head Coach with a strong coaching, football and administration staff around him that are all pushing in the one direction, The Rabbitoh Way.

"Anthony (Seibold) has done a great job at our Club over the past two years however his hesitance to extend his contract with us, an offer which has been on the table since June, led the Club to explore other options.

"We're looking forward to Wayne becoming a Rabbitoh in 12 months' time and we wish him the best of luck with the England team in their current Test series with the Kiwis.

"Now we can look forward to Season 2019 with the aim of improving our performance on the 2018 season."

Rabbitohs Chairman, Nicholas Pappas, said: "The Board of the Rabbitohs is delighted to be welcoming Wayne Bennett for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

"We believe we have a wonderful squad of players and with the coaching experience and history of success that Wayne brings with him, we are confident that we have a team worthy of premiership success."

Bennett is looking forward to coaching the oldest and most successful club in history.

 "I'm truly humbled by the opportunity to coach the South Sydney Rabbitohs," Coach Bennett said.

"Souths is one of the iconic clubs in the game. I didn't think I would get this opportunity, but that opportunity has now come for 2020 and 2021.

"I'm really grateful for the chance to be part of the Club and I'm looking forward to being part of The Rabbitoh Way.

"I've always respected South Sydney and its 30,000 Members, I'm really looking forward to being part of the Rabbitohs family, and I can assure the Members that I will do my very best for the Club."

Biography

• Name: Wayne Bennett
• Coaching Role: Head Coach for Seasons 2020 and 2021
• Club Coach Appointments: Head Coach - 631 games for Broncos (1988-08, 2015-18) - 402 wins
• Head Coach - 75 games for Knights (2012-14) - 34 wins
• Head Coach - 79 games for Dragons (2009-11) - 51 wins
• Head Coach - 28 games for Raiders (1987) - 17 wins
• Head Coach - Brisbane Souths (1977-79, 1984-85)
• Head Coach - Brisbane Brothers (1980-82)
• Head Coach - Ipswich (1976)
• NSWRL/NRL Coach Win %age: 62% (504 wins from 813 games)
• Rep Coach Appointments: Head Coach - England (2016-current)
• Head Coach - NRL All Stars (2010-13)
• Assistant Coach - New Zealand (2008)
• Head Coach - All Golds (2007)
• Head Coach - Australia (1988, 2004-05)
• Head Coach - Queensland (1986-88, 1998, 2001-03)
• Head Coach - Queensland Tri-Series (1997)
• Coaching Achievements: Seven premierships (1992-93, 1997{SL}-98, 2000, 2006, 2010)
• 25 Finals appearances (1987, 1990, 1992-2011, 2013, 2015-17)
• Five Origin Series wins (1987-88, 1998, 2001-02)
• Coach of the Year (1987, 1997-SL, 2000, 2015)
• Playing Record: Warwick, Toowoomba, Brisbane Brothers
• Ipswich (1976)
• Brisbane Souths (1977-79)
• Seven games for Queensland (1971-73)