Sam Burgess has denied reports in Australia that he’s planning a swift return to the NRL next year with South Sydney.
The build-up to England’s Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji at Twickenham on Friday has been interrupted by speculation that Burgess is ready to switch back to the Rabbitohs, who he inspired to last October’s NRL grand final victory.
Burgess, however, insists he is focused only on winning his third cap when he steps off the bench against Fiji.
“I can completely deny it, there is no truth in it and I haven’t had a word from Australia. I don’t know where it has come from but it’s definitely not true,” Burgess said.
“I am not too worried really. If this story was meant to unsettle me, I’m not sure it has worked.
“Let’s just crack on because I haven’t heard anything. It is just a beat up story, so let’s put it to bed.
“Once I made the decision to come over, one of my goals was to play in this World Cup and it’s here now.
“For me I have just got to get out there and do my bit for the team and this country. I will give it my heart.”
Bath head coach Mike Ford has stated that Burgess would see out the two years left on his contract, while his England counterpart Stuart Lancaster sees the 26-year-old staying in union until the 2019 World Cup.
“I had a long conversation with Sam and it wasn’t mentioned once. I don’t consider it an issue,” Lancaster said.
“He has come to rugby union because he wants to play international rugby union and he has ambitions further down the line to make it beyond just England. He wants to play in this World Cup and the next World Cup.”
Burgess hinted during his final-quarter cameo against Ireland 10 days ago that he can cause problems when defences have become more ragged, although he was unable to deliver the breakthrough in the 21-13 victory at Twickenham.
The Yorkshireman insists, however, he will not run out against the Fijians with the intention of producing something spectacular.
“I have a job to do personally for the team and I will try and execute that as well as I can,” Burgess said.
“I have never shied away from a challenge and I will enjoy the time I get and it’s important not to try and overdo things in the limited time you get.
“I just have to continue the job the guys have started. We have some fresh legs.
“I can bring a little spark, if needed.
“But it’s about doing the job that has been assigned to the guys before me. And then finish it off with as much intensity and passion as I can.”
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
3rd largest overall behind summer Olympics and the FIFAWC....i believe it received 3.7 billion in terms of global broadcasting in 2011..on the other hand, all the finals combined for NRL last weekend had around 130k people showing up on the stands .. the Fiji-Eng RWC opener itself would have around 82k in attendance..
abnutta
Roar Guru
According to CNN, the RWC is the second biggest single sporting event, by ticket sales in the world. Second only to the FIFA World Cup. The 2014 edition of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil had an average attendance of 53,000. RWC 2015 has already sold in excess of 2.4 million tickets, that's an average attendance of 50,000 over 48 matches. International rugby is not exactly small fry on the world sporting landscape.
paul andersen
Guest
careful now, some nrl fan will accuse you of being narrow minded.....
Kevin
Guest
Any Australian NRL player who makes a name for himself in international rugby would be insane to go back to the NRL. In NRL they are only known by NRL fans and not even known probably 60% of the sports fans in Australia. As Rugby internationals they are known on every continent of the planet (obviously more in some than others). This means serious fame and earning potential. Take Wendell, Lote, Matty Rogers, Folau, SBW - unknown to the big wide world of sports fans whilst NRL players - known to rugby fans in all countries of the world whilst playing (add Burgess to the list if he does OK for England). I just wish Hayne had seen the light and signed with my Reds instead of the NFL.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
How does that negate the comment?
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
I don't see any reason not to take Burgess at his word. After the World Cup, the current season will bring a Six Nations championship and another season where Bath (beaten finalists last year) will try and win the English Premiership. Bath are also in one of the toughest Champions Cup groups, where they face Toulon, Leinster and Wasps, who all won the top European title under the old Heineken Cup name. The season ends with a three Test tour of Australia. That's quite a schedule for the next nine months or so. The main concern for Sam Burgess will be pacing himself, given that he had no real break after League, and hasn't had a proper pre-season yet. The following year, the 2016-7 season ends with a Lions tour to New Zealand. If Burgess is making a consistent impact at international level, then he'll have ambitions to be selected for that. At the end of the Lions tour, we'll be two years out from the next World Cup. If Burgess is succeeding, then there are a lot of big occasions to keep him occupied, and that's the main reason he made his switch. There's no guarantee he will succeed, however. England might have a poor World Cup, and it will be no fun being part of that. Also, there's still a lot of doubt about his position, since Bath will play him as a flanker but England aren't convinced he can do that job yet at Test level. You can't be a forward for your club but a back for your country for any length of time, so he'll have to make his international case all over again.
paul andersen
Guest
ok bronco, show me the growth potential of league, when the only two real league comps on the planet do there best to stifle the international game.
Targa
Guest
There is no way he can play sevens - too slow for the Olympics. Who knows if he can make the Lions tours of NZ? The Lions have only ever won one series against the All Blacks, but many NZ rugby legends are retiring so they have a chance. A Lions tour would be the biggest thing in his career if he can make the starting lineup (there will have to be lots of injuries for him to play any big games this WC).
Phillnz
Guest
Yeah getting rid of the ANZAC test , pushing the internationals in the same window as SOO. The same SBW is playing in front of 92000 @ wembly.against Argentina.
smell the fear
Guest
he is far too slow to make the olympics, hes very lucky to be in the RWC squad. you really think his paymaster Bath will let him play sevens?
smell the fear
Guest
yeah sbw plays in front of 8k people ringing cow bells in the NZ country side, big move from eastern suburbs of sydney. who says Rl is inward looking, they are tring hard to expand the international game
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
its still 20 times bigger than league.. ;)
Jake
Guest
Burgess will be back. He'll be bored to death playing rugby for England. Great league player but he's got half the natural talent of SBW and Izzy. English rugby must be struggling if he's made their side.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Lol at implying Rugby League doesn't have 'real growth potential'. Good one, you showed how ignorant you are.
nerval
Guest
He's "struggling" so much that he's an England international and a World Cup squad member in his first truncated season in the game. If this is "struggling" - what would success look like?
duecer
Guest
I think people play down the allure of the Olympics, but to be involved and be involved in a sport that hasn't been included for ages is a real selling point. No slight on RL - AFL and NFL will never have an Olympic contest, but there is an incentive to stay until that year.
paul andersen
Guest
its hard to believe , but sydney league is not the centre of the sporting world, even with trips to such exciting hotspots like canberra and newcastle.. just as with people like sonny bill and jarrod hayne, they have moved on to far bigger comps with real growth potential. league is a good game but as long as it looks inward and mostly ignores the international game it will be a feeder comp for the top athletes into other sports.
Birdy
Guest
Did a fan of the 'Australian' international All Stars team about to compete in the RWC just call England 'mercenaries'?
jamesb
Guest
Fair dinkum Mike, You have Sam as a shoe in for the Olympics and 2019 world cup. It's not like Sam doesn't have any competition. I laugh at Rugby fans where they claim there sport is so huge globally. It's not exactly the world game.
jutsie
Guest
League media are so insecure. Whenever one of their boys does well after going to union all the press is about how easy the game is compared to league but whenever their players struggle its because theyre "unhappy " and want to go back.