Sam Burgess takes crack at Wayne Bennett amid coach's absence from NRL Hall of Fame

Rabbitohs legend Sam Burgess has taken a cheeky dig at his former coach Wayne Bennett after both were inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame on Wednesday night. Bennett has always shied away from gala dinners and it was no surprise to any in the code he turned down the invitation to the NRL Immortals night.

Ron Coote became the 14th Immortal in a touching ceremony for the South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs legend on Wednesday as the 80-year-old received recognition for his achievements. A number of the game's biggest superstars - including Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston - were also inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.

England and Rabbitohs forward Burgess also joined the illustrious inductees in 2024. Bennet became the first coach - alongside Jack Gibson - to be included in the NRL Hall of Fame. Bennett has coached 935 premiership games and won seven titles along the way. He has also won five State of Origin series with Queensland.

However, it was confirmed Bennett wouldn't be attending the ceremony and Burgess would instead accept the award on his behalf. Burgess got up on stage for the second time to answer a few questions from host Yvonne Sampson.

And it took just a few seconds for Burgess to take a cheeky dig at his former coach. "I don't have to say too much. He never does," Burgess said prompting laughter from the crowd. There was no shying away from the fact Bennett has opted out of such nights on many occasions throughout his coaching career.

But taking a more serious note, Burgess said the 74-year-old has often shied away from the spotlight outside of his media duties. And Burgess thanked Bennett for still mentoring him as he navigates the next part of his rugby league career as a coach.

"He has got a bit on, Wayne, it's probably not his style. I think the majority of the people in this room will have been touched by Wayne in some way or another whether it be as a friend, for advice or as a coach. He has influenced so many people in our game.

"I was one of those people, he was so influential to me. Still is now as a new coach. We are all so grateful." Bennett will rejoin the Rabbitohs in 2025 having coached South Sydney to the 2021 NRL grand final. Bennett has been helping Burgess throughout his first role as coach at Warrington Wolves in the Super League. Burgess' team sit in third place after 22 games played.

Ron Coote honoured as NRL Immortal

While there was plenty of speculation Cameron Smith would be the next Immortal, only a few years after his retirement, the honour went to Coote instead. The Roosters and Souths legend had long been considered a leading contender to become an Immortal, but had been overlooked on each previous occasion.

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The 80-year-old, who won four premierships with Souths and another two with the Roosters, admitted he'd given up hope of receiving the game's highest honour. "I'm a bit taken for words," he said on stage. "I never thought I would be crying when I was (almost) 80, but I am.

"It's still got to sink in. I am not really fully sure how it all goes. Every time they have announced Immortals, I have been passed. I thought this was not going to happen. This time it has come through. I wait for things to happen before I sit down and enjoy it. I've enjoyed it, and it's been good."