BURGESS BACK TO THE NRL BUT WHAT HAPPENS TO WALKER?
South Sydney’s favourite son Sam Burgess is on his way back to the Rabbitohs after being granted a release by Bath. The big Englishman has signed a fresh three-year deal after a forgettable stint in rugby union where he was unfairly hammered by the UK media for his role in England’s disastrous World Cup. But with his signature comes some tough decisions for coach Michael Maguire and the Souths administration. Who goes to squeeze Burgess in? Kangaroos centre Dylan Walker has been hotly tipped to be one of the guys to be forced from the club which could be made easier after his and Aaron Gray’s prescription drugs scandal. Can Souths really afford to lose Walker? If you look over their roster and especially their outside back options, the 2014 Premiers are baron. Apart from Greg Inglis and Alex Johnstone, Souths look light in depth and class. Souths need to find another way to find room for Burgess and letting Walker go isn’t the right option.

 
JACK GIBSON, WAYNE BENNETT, TIM SHEENS… JOHN HOPOATE?
The NRL tried to step-in and put a stop to Manly’s plans of appointing bad boy John Hopoate as S.G Ball Coach for 2016 but at the end of the day they didn’t have the power as NSWRL run that competition. NSWRL employee and former Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark told Triple M last night that Hopoate had the appropriate qualifications meaning the NSWRL’s hands were tied. The problem here is Manly and the question is, of all the coaches in the rugby league world, they thought Hopoate would be a good fit.

 
FULL-TIME KANGAROOS COACH IS A MUST
The next Rugby League World Cup is not that far away, 2017 to be precise and Australia are set to name a full-time coach in the build-up to the tournament being held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. And it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Kangaroos who will battle to defend their crown. The Kiwis are currently the best team in the world and knocked Australia off in their last three clashes while England now have a formidable outfit which will be bolstered by the returning Sam Burgess. And it just so happens England lead New Zealand 1-0 in their current series and have the chance this weekend to clinch the series with a win in London. The next coach will have some tough decisions to make and he’ll have to make them soon with many of the nation’s best players coming to the end of their careers.

 
WHAT’S THE POINT OF A CONTRACT?
Manly stalwart Matt Ballin signed a contract extension with the Brookvale club in April only to sign with Wests Tigers this week. He heads to the Tigers where the club wants old captain Robbie Farah to walk out on his existing deal for underlying dramas we’ll never fully understand and while all this has been happening, Martin Taupau got an early release from the Tigers to join Manly where had signed for 2017. Infuriating for the fans but at the end of the day we don’t really matter.

 
SPEAKING OF CONTRACTS…
Unless you’re a Canberra fan you wouldn’t know much about forward Mitch Barnett. I got to see plenty of Barnett this year calling the VB NSW Cup where Barnett starred for the Mounties club. It’s safe to say Barnett was a favourite in our commentary box with his ferocious playing style and never-say-die attitude. Now Barnett has signed with the Gold Coast Titans for more NRL opportunities but the Raiders don’t see it that way. The Raiders believe they’ve got Barnett for another two years while the NRL agrees with Barnett’s camp that there isn’t a physical contract to be found because it wasn’t officially lodged with League Central. Don Furner called Barnett a “long-term contract” despite the second-rower only appearing in two NRL games this season.

 
LEAGUE TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN LONDON
It’s an exciting weekend for English league fans with their beloved team looking to seal a series win against the Kiwis at London’s Olympic Stadium. It’s a great shot in the arm for the English game to have such an impressive squad which is still missing George Burgess and the returning Sam Burgess. Not to be forgotten this weekend, France host Scotland in Avignon while Ireland and Wales clash in Bray.

 
@woodward_curtis