DAMNING closed-circuit TV footage of Jason Taylor karate-chopping South Sydney players at the Rabbitohs Chinese themed ''Sad Sunday'' session is expected to result in his sacking next Tuesday.

Taylor, who was punched twice by Rabbitohs second-rower David Fa'alogo during the club's end-of-season festivities at Forresters Hotel last Sunday, was last night handed a legal letter by Souths officials giving him until 5pm on Tuesday to show why his contract should not be terminated.

Former NSW, North Queensland, Sydney Roosters and Illawarra coach Graham Murray was last night mentioned as a possible replacement, along with Melbourne assistant and New Zealand mentor Stephen Kearney. It is understood that Souths players wore Chinese-style fancy dress to the celebrations in an upstairs function room at the Surry Hills pub and Taylor was karate-chopping and slapping some of them when Fa'alogo took exception to his antics.

Those who have seen the CCTV footage said Fa'alogo punched Taylor to the ground and when he got to his feet the Kiwis international struck him again. A groggy Taylor was picked up by some other players and carried downstairs before being put in a taxi and taken home.

Concerned players, including halfback Chris Sandow, later phoned him to check on his condition.

But Taylor's actions appear to have convinced the Rabbitohs board that his position is untenable after an internal investigation found he had breached the rules set out in his contract.

Even if the attack by Fa'alogo was unprovoked, as Taylor told friends earlier this week, there is a widely held view that he should not have put himself in a position for the incident to occur.

Taylor was told by bar staff at one stage to drink water before he could be served again.

A rival coach told the Herald: ''At those sort of things you walk in the front door, have one or two beers and walk out the back door.''

Another NRL coach said: ''You buy a round of drinks and then you leave.''

While Taylor recently received the endorsement of Souths co-owner Russell Crowe to serve out the remaining year of his contract after missing the finals for the second successive season, it is believed he only survived the axe because there were no better candidates available. But if just a small number of players think Taylor was out of line on Sunday or deserved what he got, Souths risk becoming a club divided unless they appoint a new coach.

Former premiership-winning coach John Lang is already employed by South Sydney in a football operations role and would be able to take over if necessary.

The Herald was told last night that Souths had already been in discussions with Murray, who played for the Rabbitohs, about a role for next season and he might become a candidate to replace Taylor.

Former Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes was also mentioned.

Kearney would be an obvious choice as he is considered an NRL coach-in-waiting and has a good relationship with Souths captain Roy Asotasi, who recently extended his contract for four years, and a number of the club's other Kiwi players.

Kearney has done an apprenticeship at Melbourne under NSW Origin coach Craig Bellamy and worked with Wayne Bennett last year as they plotted New Zealand's World Cup triumph.

A number of Super League coaches would also make good candidates, including former Kiwis mentor Brian McLennan, who last year took Leeds to a premiership in his first season as a head coach, Castleford's Terry Matterson, St Helens' Michael Potter and Hull KR's Justin Morgan, who this week re-signed but has a get-out clause in his contract.

Meanwhile, Fa'alogo been ordered to front the club's board at a meeting next Friday, September 18. Fa'alogo will join Huddersfield on a four-year deal next season, but as he remains under NRL contract until the end of October he can officially be sacked or fined by the Rabbitohs for his role in the incident.