The Sunday Telegraph is reporting that Sam Burgess may opt out of his contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2015 and play Rugby Union for England at the Rugby Union World Cup.
The Rugby Football Union in England has been desperate to boost their playing stocks in recent years. This has seen them target Rugby League players at both junior and seniors level.
Some of their targets, like Sam Tomkins, have slipped through their fingers. Burgess would be a huge signing for the RFU but honestly, I’d be shocked if they managed to pull the coup off.
Sam Burgess has many years ahead of him as a Rugby League player. He has yet to win a major piece of silverware in Rugby League. With his best years ahead of him, in an improving South Sydney team, having moved all of his brothers to Sydney to play at the same club, it would be a massive shock if he did head back to England to play Rugby Union.
I would suggest this is a negotiation tactic to get more money out of the Rabbitohs. With the salary cap rising pretty much every season and with Burgess the best front rower in the Rabbitohs team, I think he simply is pushing to get paid what he quite honestly is worth to the Rabbitohs.
I think he would be better of saying he is considering moving to the Sydney Roosters. They Rabbitohs would give him a life contract to stop that from happening!
Freako,
surely Sammy B would at least consider it. Rugby Union is a much bigger sport. Outside Australia, Rugby League doesn’t really exist.
I am just about to watch England versus France in the 6 Nations. This is a popular tournament with no Rugby League equivalent.
Surely Burgess must be tempted to make the switch ???
Frank Spinetti