Former Wallaby back-rower Dave Dennis reckons Sam Burgess would make a great rugby union No.8, but has tipped the English rugby league star to make a successful transition as either a forward or back.
The powerful South Sydney forward is scheduled to switch codes after the Rabbitohs’ NRL campaign ends this season.
The 25-year-old is looking to represent England at next year’s Rugby World Cup and will be linking up with famous club side Bath.
Burgess has consistently refused to talk about rugby and his impending switch since announcing the move earlier this year.
However, he has clearly been swotting up on the 15-a-side code as he told injured NSW captain Dennis he had been watching the Waratahs, who last weekend won their maiden Super Rugby title.
On Wednesday, Burgess was able to directly mine back-rower Dennis’s mind for rugby intelligence as both helped to launch a gold standard anti-doping program at Sydney’s Redfern Oval.
Other league forwards to make the switch like Englishman Andy Farrell and New Zealander Sonny Bill Williams played Test rugby in the centres, though Farrell also played as a back in the 13-a-side code.
“I think Bath are looking to play him at 12, but I was saying I think he would make a great No.8,” Dennis told AAP.
“It will be interesting to see what he does there, but I think he’s such a quality player.
“He’s aggressive, he’s skilful and I think he’ll make the transition well there, at 12 or eight.”
Dennis only played a couple of league games as a schoolboy, but a recent cross-code session meant he was able to highlight to Burgess the different approaches the two codes had to tackling.
“It was interesting because we did the training with the (NRL) Roosters a few weeks ago,” Dennis said.
“It’s obviously a lot about the upper body and the wrestle in league. Compared to union, it’s probably a bit more below the hips, getting low, driving hard.
“I talked to him about the difference there in terms of the contact zone where there’s a bit more below your hips rather than just an upper-body wrestle.
“I think he’ll be across it all and he said he’s actually kept a keen eye on the Waratahs this year so I’m sure he’s learning as he goes.”
jeznez
Roar Guru
Buk, there is definitely something in that. All my best rugby was at 7 and I still remember the day our 12 didn't turn up and our coach made me fill in for him. I absolutely hated waiting for the ball. At 7 you are on the hunt and on the go for the full 80, in the backs you have to hold a position and wait for the game to come to you before you can influence it in attack or defence. Completely different mentality and when the IC turned up at half time I switched back to open side. At the bottom of the very first ruck of the second half I got a smack in the chops and just grinned through the blood, finally I was back in the game!
Wallabies No. 1
Guest
Playing 'link man' he gets more ball than he would with a number 11 + on this back and is able to play like a crash ball back in his current position.
Reilly
Roar Rookie
Adrian did u really just say that. " to make a successful transition as either a forward or back."
nerval
Guest
Sam Burgess is not, never has been and never will be a three-quarter. He's not built that way, he doesn't run that way, he cannot read the game that way… The talk of his being a rugby union inside centre is bewildering. But, he's a greater rugby league player than Brad Thorn ever was - the latter never reached the heights Sam Burgess touched in the World Cup semi-final v NZ at Wembley last year - and, with patience, could excel either in the back-row or in the second-row. Sadly, albeit predictably, patience seems to be off the agenda.
SamSport
Guest
I rate him almost no chance of success at 8. And if he does make it, it'll take longer than the half a season he'll need to make England's RWC squad. Has any league player from a non-union background ever successfully converted to a flanker? Brad Thorn struggled at it and ended up playing lock and he is the only example of a convert to the forwards I can think of. I wonder how many more "person X thinks Burgess will be a success" articles we will have to endure over the next few months?
Magic Sponge
Guest
Burgess will make a huge impact for the poms, he will kill it in union
Buk
Guest
A bit left field, but an interesting idea in terms of tackling and turnover, great potential there. Just wonder, though, whether he would actually want to play there, given with his pace, he must have thought about the backs in times past. Some guys just really thrive on being constantly in the action, & prefer it that way. Also problem of getting enough game experience/combination in that position with others in short time frame Centre combinations seem to be better with age and time together, especially at both state and national level - I am thinking Horan/Little, and Horan/Herbert
jameswm
Roar Guru
But both near the end of their careers. Pocock could train to play 2, then of course fill in at 7 at any time.
niwdeyaj
Guest
Moore and TPN are already more than sufficient at 2...
HooHaa
Guest
Pocock goes to 2. No problem accommodating both.
niwdeyaj
Guest
8 and 12 are two very different positions... what i don't understand is if this leaguie is being touted to learn and master either position sufficiently in time to make England's world cup team, then what's stopping say Michael Hooper from learning to be a great 12 in the same period? He'd be a tackling and turnover machine in our backline and wouldn't lose anything in the passing and running department. This would allow the wallabies to accommodate Pocock at 7 (which i personally think he's better at anyway) without losing Hooper's presence on the field. Thoughts?