Rabbitohs add David Furner to coaching staff as assistant coach

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have welcomed back experienced coach David Furner to the Club as an NRL assistant coach today.

Furner was part of the Rabbitohs’ coaching staff as assistant coach in the 2017 and 2018 seasons and was an assistant coach alongside Jason Demetriou at the North Queensland Cowboys when they won the NRL Premiership in 2015.

Furner will look after the team’s defence with current assistant coaches Ben Hornby, Joe O’Callaghan and John Sutton continuing in their roles as assistant, development and pathways coaches supporting the head coach.

Coach Demetriou says he is excited to have Furner joining the coaching team.

“I’m really happy to have David joining our crew. He will add a lot to our coaching staff and, most importantly, our players,” Coach Demetriou said.

“We’re looking for ways to improve our performances and we think that having an experienced coach like him coming in to concentrate on the team’s defence will be a positive.

“We’ve worked together previously and had great success at the Cowboys, and he knows what our Club is all about having worked here before.

“I’m looking forward to having him here alongside myself, Benny (Hornby), Joe (O’Callaghan) and ‘Sutto’ (John Sutton) as we prepare for our next game against Melbourne and the rest of the season.”

Rabbitohs Head of Football, Mark Ellison, says Furner will be an important addition to Demetriou’s support staff.

“David is a highly experienced coach who has worked well with Jason previously, helping to deliver the Cowboys their first premiership in 2015,” Mr Ellison said.

“He understands our Club having coached here previously and his role will allow Jason to free himself up to concentrate on the many and varied roles of a head coach, including mentoring his players and coaching staff to get this season back on the right track.

“We’re delighted to have ‘Furnsy’ back in the fold here at South Sydney.”