Wayne Bennett Enlists Ex-Socceroos Coach Graham Arnold to Join Rabbitohs Staff

South Sydney has appointed former Socceroos manager Graham Arnold as their goalkicking coach for the 2025 NRL season.

Arnold shares a longstanding relationship with Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett, and will focus on enhancing the technique and accuracy of Latrell Mitchell and the other goalkickers in the squad.

“Graham will be working specifically with our goalkickers. He comes with significant expertise,” Bennett shared with AAP.

“Graham is a better person and an exceptional coach. Every one of our goalkickers has the potential to enhance their skills. Latrell will be taking the goalkicking responsibilities this season, but the backup options were not up to standard last year.

“Graham will also be developing our backup goalkickers as he takes on the goalkicking role.

Both Bennett and Arnold share a long-standing mutual admiration, with Arnold noting that he spoke with the veteran coach before concluding his duties with the national team last year.

Arnold has a rich history of aiding NRL players in their kicking techniques, having previously supported former Wests Tigers stars Brett Hodgson and current coach Benji Marshall during their careers.

In the previous season, Mitchell’s success rate in converting kicks was approximately 72 per cent (33 from 46), which falls short of the league’s elite goalkickers, who achieved over 80 per cent accuracy.

Furthermore, reports suggest that Cameron Murray could be fit for the season opener after sustaining a wrist injury while representing Australia during last year’s Pacific Championships.

Initially expected to be sidelined for the start of the season, it appears he is now considered for selection for the Rabbitohs’ round one home match against the Dolphins in Queensland.