South Sydney Rabbitohs bid farewell to 8 players, including Super League fans favorite
Following the end of their 2024 season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have confirmed the departure of eight players, including Tom Burgess, who is headed to the Huddersfield Giants.
Dewsbury-native supermodel prop In 2025, Burgess will return to his native England after agreeing to a three-year deal with the Super League’s Huddersfield Giants.
After spending 12 seasons with the Souths, the 32-year-old has left the NRL team. Since joining the team in advance of the 2013 campaign from the Bradford Bulls, he has scored 22 tries in 249 games.
Inside the transaction: How the Huddersfield Giants signed Tom Burgess
Damien Cook, a 33-year-old hooker who spent nine seasons with the Rabbitohs representing Australia, will rejoin the St George Illawarra Dragons for a two-year stint.
The departures of Burgess and Cook were previously announced by the Rabbitohs: and they have now confirmed six more departees.
Former Samoa international Michael Chee Kam has departed, having made 132 appearances in the NRL, with 38 games in the cardinal red and myrtle green jersey. He has been linked with a return to Manly Sea Eagles for 2025, as per The Sydney Morning Herald.
Samoan outside-back Richie Kennar has departed with 50 NRL appearances to his name, including 27 for the Rabbitohs. The 29-year-old has previously been linked with a move to Super League but his next destination is not yet known.
Half-back Dean Hawkins departs South Sydney with 14 appearances in the NRL after making his first-grade debut for the Rabbitohs in 2021. He captained the Rabbitohs’ New South Wales Cup side to a NSWRL Premiership and NRL State Championship in 2023.
NRL RELATED: Newcastle Knights bid farewell to 6 players, including Leigh Leopards-bound speedster
Tonga international half-back Dion Teaupa leaves having played four NRL games for South Sydney since making his first-grade debut earlier this year.
Outside-back Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson leaves the Rabbitohs with 14 NRL appearances to his name – all for South Sydney – since making his first-grade bow in 2022.
Leon Te Hau, a 21-year-old fullback or winger, is one of the eight players leaving the Rabbitohs without a game under his belt.
Rabbitohs Head of Football Mark Ellison said, “As a club we would like to thank Michael, Richie, Dean, Dion, Izaac, and Leon for their service to South Sydney.”
We wish these players and their families the best of luck in the future as some of them will have opportunities at other NRL clubs. They will be revered as proud Rabbitohs forever.
