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Rugby league great Sam Burgess’ sojourn into rugby was doomed from the start.
All Burgess achieved was for his CV to now read ‘dual international’ – and that’s no mean feat in itself.
But Burgess is a professional footballer who rightfully prides himself by putting in for 80 minutes every game. He does that on his ear in rugby league, but there were far too many areas in rugby that were against him.
The first were Bath and the Rugby Football Union – and everyone ‘has’ to know that’s England – who saw Burgess as another Sonny Bill Williams. A high-quality rugby league forward, and a high-quality rugby inside centre.
Burgess was never going to be the latter, so was never going to be another Williams. But Slammin’ Sam was never going to be a rugby forward either. Even though he often played flanker for Bath, the rugby scrum is a scientific phenomenon, unlike rugby league’s lean-to embarrassment.
A matter of months is not enough time to be in the rugby tight-five – the engine room. Burgess would have had the power, the grit, and the determination, but not the knowledge, nor the experience.
And finally, a tackle in rugby league stops play for a play-the-ball, while a tackle in rugby turns into a ruck or maul, then the next tackle sets up the same sequence. There could be 10, 13, 15 or any number of phases in rugby where there isn’t a break in play until the whistle is blown.
Burgess never came to grips with ongoing rugby phases, and that’s understandable with his limited rugby experience.
In short, the rugby gods were against him.
He has had plenty to say since he announced returning to rugby league with South Sydney. His 1800-word article in The Daily Mail spelled out that he never felt at home in the 15-man code, and I’ve given the various reasons why he felt that way.
But it’s worth repeating, Burgess is now a dual international. So what the hell.
His return to the Rabbitohs will bring great joy to Russell Crowe, coach Mick Maguire, his team, sponsors, and the ever-growing number of loyal fans.
But a word of warning.
Burgess being paid more than his captain, legend and Immortal-in-waiting Greg Inglis, won’t cut the mustard with anyone in South Sydney territory. In fact, it could submarine the Rabbitohs’ 2016 campaign before it starts.
Sure it’s a genuine welcome back for Burgess to where he belongs, but only on that one, vital proviso.