South Sydney have confirmed the signing of Sam Burgess until at least the end of the 2018 NRL season.
Burgess returns to the Rabbitohs after a failed 12-month stint in rugby union.
Friday’s confirmation from Souths came shortly after reports from the UK said Burgess had left English rugby club Bath and was headed for Australia.
The 26-year-old was delighted to rejoin the Rabbitohs after winning a premiership with the club in 2014.
“I want to thank everyone at England rugby and Bath for some great memories over the last 12 months,” Burgess said in a statement.
“I am also extremely excited to be joining back up with South Sydney. I cannot wait to get back into the Rabbitohs culture, full of great people and passionate Members and supporters.”
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire is thrilled to have Burgess back at Redfern.
“I could not be happier to see Sam coming home to the Rabbitohs,” coach Maguire said in a club statement.
“He had an enormously positive impact on our club, both on and off the field, throughout the five seasons he was here, and to be bringing back one of the game’s most dominant players is fantastic for not only our club, but the game itself.”
The full statement from the club is here:
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed dual International, Sam Burgess, with the Englishman re-joining the Club until at least the end of the 2018 season, it was announced today.
Burgess, 26, will re-join his only NRL Club, the Rabbitohs, after a 12-month period in English Rugby where he played five Rugby Test matches for England including the 2015 Rugby World Cup, one match for England Saxons and 26 appearances for Bath.
Burgess played 96 NRL matches for South Sydney, including a Clive Churchill Medal-winning performance in the 2014 NRL Grand Final where he played virtually the entire game with a fractured face following a head-clash with fellow Englishman, James Graham of the Bulldogs.
Burgess has also played 17 Rugby League Test matches for England and Great Britain, one game for Northern Union and one game for the NRL All Stars.
Sam will re-unite with brothers George and Thomas at the Rabbitohs in 2016.
Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire is delighted to see Sam returning to his Australian home.
“I could not be happier to see Sam coming home to the Rabbitohs,” Coach Maguire said.
“He had an enormously positive impact on our Club, both on and off the field, throughout the five seasons he was here, and to be bringing back one of the game’s most dominant players is fantastic for not only our Club, but the game itself.
“He will add starch to our forward pack, and he will bring his leadership qualities to the team as well.
“He wanted to test himself in Rugby Union and he achieved many of his goals, becoming a dual International for England and representing his country at a Rugby World Cup.
“The next chapter is for him to return to the game he was born to play, and we’re over the moon that he is coming home to do that with his Rabbitohs family here at South Sydney.”
Burgess said he was grateful to England Rugby and Bath for his experience in Rugby Union and is now looking forward to getting stuck into training alongside his Rabbitohs teammates.
“I want to thank everyone at England Rugby and Bath for some great memories over the last 12 months,” Burgess said.
“I must also thank Bath especially for granting my release to return home to my family who I have missed more than I could have imagined.
“I am also extremely excited to be joining back up with South Sydney. I cannot wait to get back into the Rabbitohs culture, full of great people and passionate Members and supporters.
“I had a wonderful time in England and learnt a lot about the game of Rugby Union as both a back and a forward, and I have definitely developed as an all-round player and athlete after that.
“I’m now very lucky to be given the chance to come back to Souths and serve this Club and its Members.
“I look forward to getting stuck into training with all the boys and working hard for the upcoming season.”
Name: Sam Burgess
Date of Birth: 14 December 1988
Place of Birth: Dewsbury, England
Height: 196cm
Weight: 116kg
Position: Utility forward
Junior Club: Dewsbury Moor
Previous Clubs: Bradford Bulls (2006-09); Rabbitohs (2010-14); Bath Rugby (2014-15)
NRL Debut: Rabbitohs vs Roosters, ANZ Stadium, 14 March 2010 (Rd 1)
First Team Debut: Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos, 2006 (Super League)
NRL Games: 96 (all for the Rabbitohs)
First Team Games: 175 (96 for the Rabbitohs; 79 for Bradford) **26 games for Bath Rugby
NRL Points: 104 (26 tries)
First Team Points: 182 (104 for the Rabbitohs from 26 tries; 78 for Bradford from 17 tries, five goals)
Rep Honours: Rugby League: 17 Tests for England and Great Britain (2007-10, 2013); World Cup (2013); One game for NRL All Stars (2010); One game for Northern Union (2007);
Rugby Union: Five Tests for England (2015); World Cup (2015); One game for England Saxons (2015)
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I repeat the NRL are not using one cent of their funds .What Souths does and remember there are extra monies allowed for long serving players and Burgess is an elite player he could well be catered within those bounds .Who knows? The salary cap is not being waived at the expense of other clubs .For example if Hayne,SBW came back to other clubs they would also be beneficiaries .It is IMO not confined to just one club. The SMH story does not state the salary cap has been altered.If it had the other clubs would publicly voicing outroar. As an example his money could be tail ended/ staggered $500,000 year 1 ,$750,000 year 2,$1m year 3.Or any configuration.The salary cap for all clubs is the same and remains the same.The SMH story tells me nothing new. With the debacle with Folau /Schubert I understand, the NRL giving flexibility to clubs with elite players outside the cap but not within.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The NRL are giving Souths extra cap space; the extra payments aren't coming from outside the cap sources such as TPAs, the cap is just being waived for Souths to bring him back. It's absolutely ridiculous. http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-league/south-sydney-rabbitohs/nrl-smooth-way-for-return-of-sam-burgess-to-south-sydney-to-avoid-repeat-of-israel-folau-fiasco-20151106-gkssv3.html
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The NRL are not footing one cent from their funds to get him back,so they cannot be accused of playing silly bsssss.Whatever Souths can do in their cap to accommodate him,is up to their expertise. His overalldeal may well be over the $500k,so what he secures legit outside the cap is OK.Yeah! and I trust media reports as much as i trust used car salesmen.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
He's counting for 500k against the cap as it was when he left.. his new deal is reportedly much higher than that. The NRL is playing funny buggers with the cap.
3 Hats
Guest
Sorry mate, I was still a bit pissed after celebrating Sams return. LMFAO
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The transfer fee paid to Bath,is not part of the salary cap.It was not taken into account when Bath paid Souths for him.Two deals,where neither apparently Souths gained or lost financially.Back to square one more likely. Burgess will be on the same cap count as he was on when he left.Why should it be more ? He's been away for 12 months. Any other deals for Burgess will be 3rd parties and no doubt ch9 will continue with the "love in."
Paulie
Guest
Are you serious would never have made the wallabies or a 2 string All Blacks side looked slow and with no clue it highlighted the lack of quality players in England that is way they were rolled in the first round he was also never going to be there for the long term just looking for instant glory no loyalty or desire send him back to league where he belongs
Birdy
Guest
That would be very Vichy of you. I would hate to suffer a suspension from the roar as I have just increased my data.
Samtwocan
Guest
Bath Official .... How would you like to pay that Mr Crowe , Cash, Cheque , Credit ? Rusty..... Under the circumstances I think cash would be best . Bath Official... Cash is of coarse king Mr Crowe , so cash it is, and have a lovely day.
Birdy
Guest
3 Hats, I think Nerval agrees with us , as in how could it be Sams fault?
Samtwocan
Guest
Passive aggressive .... Love it !
Kingcowboy
Guest
Come on Frenchy, toughen up a little buddy, nothing the Birdman said was that bad, i thought most of what he said was pretty funny. You wouldn't want to get involved in some of the banter come SOS time.
3 Hats
Guest
The strong mail is Chris McQueen may go to the Titans. Tim Grant is not "lost" at the moment, but he well may be soon? The NRL just released a statement that Sam will be on the same CAP amount as his previous contract for 2016, is $1.2m per year which = $500k. on the cap + 3rd-party deals!
Muzz
Guest
Nice coq.
the french
Roar Rookie
Hi Birdy, You have your opinion, i have mine. I dont think they differ greatly. In saying that i will have to report the last part of your comment which is unecesary, and i doubt you would have made it if my name tag was john smith. I will decide to go on another site unless this is an on invitation club only which i am not aware of. And certainly i wont be bullied by your type to do so. The header of the roar.com.au is sport and opinion dont forget that.
3 Hats
Guest
Well said Birdy, Had the English captain taken the 3 points for the Penalty Goal and settled for a draw England may have progressed in the tournament. He decided to "go for glory" for a try and failed. If you want to blame someone Nerval, then I suggest you BLAME the England CAPTAIN! Not Sam!
3 Hats
Guest
Yes, eagleJack, the brothers do give each other a bit of stick as you say, especially the twins, but the bottom line is, no matter which way you want to phrase it, the facts are Sam was always planning to come back to Souths. Had Sam not made the World Cup team, he may have stayed on longer, but considering Sam did indeed achieve what he set out to do, it was time for him to come back home to OZ!
the french
Roar Rookie
Ok Eaglejack. I did not write Folau was bad. I questionned how long he will last. Izzy is a terrific player and the best full back we've got IMO but my point was aside than capabities, there is also a culture of immediate benefits developped ny code hopping which does not sit well with me and does not fit with the game of Rugby Union philosophically speaking (as opposed to putting in the effort in the game long term). We have seen a lot players come and go in the wallabies team from league in the last 10 years and i hope Folau wont hop back to league when he does not get the deal he wants or what have you.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Nope I don't know Luke. But know that he wouldn't disrespect his brothers achievements by claiming he was on a working holiday. It was a great achievement by Sam and a lot of hard work went into it. It would have been said in jest, giving his brother a bit of stick playing up to the well used cliche, and as expected some have lapped it up.
3 Hats
Guest
If you know Luke, you would know he is a straight sort of a bloke, he says it the way it is mate. P.S. You blokes won't be getting your grubby paws on Walker, lol I know this as a FACT! His new 3-year contract extension will be announced in a couple of weeks.