ANTHONY Seibold may have already agreed to link up with Brisbane when his South Sydney contract expires at the end of the 2019 season.

James Hooper has been informed by sources he labelled “influential figures” that the deal to replace Wayne Bennett as Broncos head coach is already “done”.

And he said the Rabbitohs are already preparing for life after the rookie coach.

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Round 20

“There are plenty of influential figures in the game — especially picking up the telephone today with all this coaching merry-go-round that’s all the buzz at the moment — they’re prepared to tell you that the Anthony Seibold deal with the Brisbane Broncos is done,” he told NRL 360.

“Some people will tell you that that it is done, it is definitely happening.

“Now, I’m not going out there that strongly and saying that absolutely there is a signature on a piece of paper but I know South Sydney have discussed contingency plans, which would be David Furner who’s their attack coach and has been there for a couple of seasons.”

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Brisbane Broncos head coach Wayne Bennett had his request for a contract extension rejected. Source: AAP

Earlier on Wednesday, there may have been a slip of the tongue from Seibold when he told a media scrum that he was aware the Broncos were interested in his services.

Because that flew in the face of his persistent claim that he has not spoken with Brisbane hierarchy.

“Like I’ve said before I can’t say it any more times, I’ve not actually spoken to the Broncos and you know, obviously there’s some interest there from them but I’ve not spoken to anyone there,” he said.

“It hasn’t been on my radar, I haven’t had to talk to the players about it, and none of the players have spoken to me about it. I briefly mentioned it to the leadership group and we just cracked on with it.”

Also on Wednesday, Broncos skipper Darius Boyd threw his support behind Jason Demetriou to be promoted to first-grade coach after Bennett moves on.

‘’I think Jason Demetriou our assistant has deserved the role,’’ Boyd told Fox Sports’ NRL Tonight.

‘’The way he handles the players, his track record and resume and what he’s done in the state league and the NSW Cup competitions over the last few years and even in the NRL as an assistant (has been great).

‘’Him and Wayne work really well together and I think he’s definitely ready.

‘’He knows the system, he knows the club and he’s been here for two years now. I just think he’s someone that really needs that chance to shine.’’