One of the NRL’s greatest ever English imports Adrian Morley believes the return to South Sydney of favourite son Sam Burgess could be the catalyst for the Rabbitohs to return to Grand Final day after a disappointing title defence in 2015 where they were bundled out of the Finals in week one by Cronulla.

I’m chuffed he’s back in rugby league and he’ll be champing at the bit to show why he was regarded as the best player in the world before he left for rugby union,” Morley told AAP.

“Souths struggled without him last year and he could be the added spark they need to be premiers again.”

The Rabbitohs play St George Illawarra this weekend in the annual Charity Shield at ANZ Stadium.

Morley also defended England’s decision to appoint Brisbane’s Wayne Bennett as coach.

I can’t see where the criticism is coming from,” he said.

“We’ve had Australian coaches before in David Waite and Tony Smith but we’re not talking about an average coach here – it’s Wayne Bennett.

“I’m all in favour of giving home-grown coaches a shot if they are good enough but in my opinion there is no one with as strong a resume as Wayne Bennett.”