Thursday, 6 February 2014

England grab league superstar Sam Burgess and fast-track him into World Cup ...

By

Chris Foy



PUBLISHED:


23:02, 5 February 2014




|
UPDATED:


08:05, 6 February 2014



England have pulled off a spectacular cross-code raid by convincing rugby league superstar Sam Burgess to switch to union and be fast-tracked into their 2015 World Cup plans.


Despite denials by Stuart Lancaster and the RFU last weekend that the 25-year-old or his Australian club, South Sydney Rabbitohs, had been approached, Sportsmail can reveal that he has agreed to move to the 15-man game later this year.


Burgess has accepted an offer from an Aviva Premiership club and his departure from league will be confirmed once financial terms have been finalised. There is a transfer fee — estimated to be in the region of £500,000 — involved.


Crossing codes: Sam Burgess has agreed to make the switch to union


Crossing codes: Sam Burgess has agreed to make the switch to union



New challenge: Burgess will sign for an Aviva Premiership side from South Sydney Rabbitohs


New challenge: Burgess will sign for an Aviva Premiership side from South Sydney Rabbitohs



This will be needed to buy the former Bradford Bulls forward out of the remainder of his existing contract with the Rabbitohs, who are co-owned by Hollywood actor Russell Crowe.


It is understood that the RFU are likely to pay a share of the fee in recognition of the fact that Burgess has been identified as a primary target by the England coaches, who believe he could operate at inside centre.


Reports Down Under suggested that

Andy Farrell — himself a dual-code international — made an approach to

Burgess during the rugby league World Cup in the autumn.


Country calling: Burgess will be fast-tracked into England


Determined: Sam Burgess


Taking centre stage: Burgess has been identified as a primary target by England bosses




Burgess started his rugby league career at Bradford after playing junior rugby in nearby Dewsbury. He made his debut in 2006 and quickly established himself as a Super League star.


This alerted the Rabbitohs and he moved Down Under in 2010. He has since become one of the most destructive forwards in the NRL and helped to turn the South Sydney side into a major force.


He is joined by his siblings George, Luke and Tom and last season they became the first set of four brothers to line up in the same Australian side since Ray, Roy, Rex and Bernard Norman played for Sydney’s Annandale club in 1910.


He starred for England at the 2013 rugby league World Cup, despite picking up a one-match ban for a high tackle in the opening game against Australia.


Burgess was man of the match in the last-gasp semi-final defeat by New Zealand and his performance earned praise from union World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson, who tweeted at him: ‘Thought you were phenomenal today’.


Middle man: Reports Down Under suggest Andy Farrell made an approach for Burgess in the autumn


Middle man: Reports Down Under suggest Andy Farrell made an approach for Burgess in the autumn


Brothers in arms: Sam Burgess (right), with siblings (from left), Tom, George and Luke, and mum Julie (centre)


Brothers in arms: Sam Burgess (right), with siblings (from left), Tom, George and Luke, and mum Julie (centre)


Don


Don’t mess with this family: Matt West is tackled by (from left) George, Luke, Tom and Sam Burgess




 








Comments (34)


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The comments below have not been moderated.





raymil0,


bradford-uk,


moments ago


What an insult to rugby union players





The Judge,


Here There Everywhere, United Kingdom,


18 minutes ago


The Perfect solution would be for RU to get rid of wing forwards and line outs and cut the 40 mins per match rolling around on the floor holding a ball for the 27th phase to begin , and hey presto ! WHOOOOOPS I see now , you would have rugby league , the best rugby game in the world. It SHOULD challenge football as the best sporting entertainment in the world. VIVA SUPERLEAGUE ! Wake up you kick and clappers !





ashieuk,


Rochester, United Kingdom,


23 minutes ago


I have watched England and some club matches this year, and have been mightily unimpressed with the basic skills level of the backs. It’s all a bit laboured and set-piece. There is little invention and improvisation. I think this is an admission that the skills are just not there and that England need to bring in someone to give the backs a boost.





Dutch Ovens,


Still stuck here…,


26 minutes ago


Well, it will be interesting. As a Union fan it leaves a slightly bad taste in the mouth that we take what, on the surface, looks like a desperate act. I imagine League fans are even more resentful at us stealing away a star player and I don’t blame them for it. Hopefully he will come to London Irish!





MrCollins,


Brighton, United Kingdom,


37 minutes ago


I hope this is a real exclusive and the not sort of thing the DM prints during the football transfer window! Huge coup if true, unlike Paul and Farrell (Andy) we’re actually getting this guy at his peak. It will be a big ask to get him ready for 2015, centre is a very trough position to pick up in such a short space of time. Still, if anyone can do it, it’s probably him/





spudly,


south wales,


44 minutes ago


@vettiekay – then you can do away with the 2 wings and full back, they won’t be needed !!





Razza,


liverpool, United Kingdom,


1 hour ago


Gutted. Happy it will make England better, but the lad is suited to league. Union will bore him, especially the type of player he is





The Judge,


Here There Everywhere, United Kingdom,


5 minutes ago


Union bores most people. Look at the stats for how many minutes the ball is in play compared to League. The figure I saw was for Union 37 minutes per game whereas League it was 62 mins ! NO CONTEST





Stivo12,


Hull, United Kingdom,


1 hour ago


These comments are brilliant, burgess is everything union needs to make it exciting. I hope for one he stays with league as we will lose out as league fans





Feral Pigeon,


North of England, United Kingdom,


1 hour ago


When will we learn? League players cannot make a success of switching to inside back positions (except SBW, Who was remember only a WC bench warmer) and people suggesting no8 are delusional. Only wingers and fullbacks ever work, and not always.

Stop leaging up our union team please!!





McG,


somewhere, United Kingdom,


1 hour ago


Kyle Eastmond?





johnthepom,


Sandringham Melbourne Australia,


1 hour ago


I agree CFCTEL…No8 is made for big Sam…I’ll be sad to see him leave these shores though!!

Actually, they should take all the Burgess’ and the Tompkins’ too!



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Article source: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Brilliant-Bath-Rugby-slay-Newport-Gwent-Dragons/story-20431308-detail/story.html


England grab league superstar Sam Burgess and fast-track him into World Cup ...
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