Sonny Bill Williams?

That's exactly what I said. Sam burgess leaving the NRL, if he does, will not have any effect on South Sydney or the NRL, both are far far bigger than any one player can ever effect.

Those column inches will still be there this year, just being written about someone else.

Are you reading what you're typing?

So when you said that Burgess could be easily replaced you didn't mean in playing ability, You meant commercially?



So is it a worry or not?

Don't you think SBW had a massive effect on Roosters and the NRL this season?

Apparently Salford have said at an open day today that they have asked the RFL if they can go after Burgess.

The good Dr is completely crackers. Sam Burgess wouldnt go to Salford for £1million!

If only that one player off the cap was allowed! It'd be interesting to see how much Koukash would throw at him

Sam Burgess owns a flat in Coogee worth, at a guess, $700,000-800,000. Why would he want the worry of renting it out to someone when he could live in it, and play for South Sydney, and be a TV celebrity, and have a meal or drink coffee frequently with Russell Crowe?

Only English RU, not Salford, could have the funds and the prestige and the celebrity lifestyle to make the hassle of his move 10,000 miles from Coogee worthwhile.

I dont doubt Salford have the cash, but the lifestyle compared to Sydney or even as a RU international, not a chance

Salford don't have the cash, Koukash does though, I don't think you guys actually know just how loaded the good Dr is.

You'll be looking at around 800/900k a year for burgess to return back to SL and i really think Koukash will get his wallet out to land him.

Think about it, Salford must have been talking to his agent? Or enquiring about his services, for his name to be even mentioned, and don't forget Noble knows burgess very well and could be the very man to bring him back over to SL and most importantly stop him going to RU!

Has Sam Burgess officially commented on this yet?

As a sport we should take these opportunities to ram home the superiority of our athletes compared to any other code of sport in the world.

Jason Robinson, Chris Ashton, SBW and now S Burgess amongst many others, all marquee players in World Rugby Union that came from League. We should shout out the reasons as to why we produce such excellence and shine the light on how Rugby League is the superior code and therefore produces these immense athletic and gifted sportsmen.

The next Sam Burgess is already signed and paying Rugby League, so is the next SBW, S Tomkins, Inglis, Slater, Graam and so on.
It's the all round physical, athletic and psychological intensity of our sport that demands our youth players become so good. No other sport takes them to the raggy edges of physical capability like League does.

We should be banging home that message everytime Union opens an opportunity to do so and all the time in between. Make the average sports fan come and see what all the fuss s about

Not this thread btw, the situation.

So basically RL is a RU feeder sport then? Great!

If that's what you read, I suggest you give yourself an uppercut and go find a Janet & John book to occupy your reading time.

why "must they have"?

Its a win win for the Dr.

"id sign Sam Burgess i the RFL would let me" (ignoring the fact he could earn more through endorsements in Oz than his salary there, plus the lifestyle, and his whole family is there, so he'd never come back to any club in the UK right now)

when the RFL say no chance, it looks to Salford fans like he's tried but it was those nasty men at the RFL who wouldnt let him.

We'll have to see won't we but it's all becoming rather repetitive isn't it,

"Why would Chase go to Salford he's getting the 2nd highest wage in the SL, he's married a Cas girl he loves Cas, he can't drive anyway." (the Cas fans said) Chase signed.

"Why would Hock go to Salford when he could go live in Australia and have a great life out there on the same money Salford offered him. (the Wigan fans said) Hock signed.

"Harrison Hansen Ha ha ha he'd never leave the double winners for Salford, Wigan are taking up and option of one more year anyway so no chance! ( also by the Wigan fans) well what you know Hansen signed Aswel.

All these expert accountants and agents on here have to realise that Koukash is well above Rugby League level in terms of expenditure, he's more on the level of a championship football chairman in terms of financial might so anyone who comes out with the old he won't go to Salford for this/that reason has to think Koukash has a lot to offer to a potential new player. £600million weath is off the scale compared to most RL and even RU owner/chairman. Salford are just very very lucky that he came in for them.

Why does anyone go anywhere in this age... MONEY.
Not always short term either, Sam goes to union and his name is suddenly in the papers more often, he could even get a decent media career out it in the future.

As i said, i've no doubt he's got the cash, but Burgess with his wage (in a salary cap thats nearly double ours) plus various high profile endorsements mean he's on a big whack there, and just compare Sydney life to anywhere in the North of England !

Big difference between players moving from other clubs in SL to Salford than leaving Sydney for Salford

You just never know what Burgess might be thinking? He's been rumoured to be going to Bath RU,nodding realise bath at 40 degree summers and Snow White beaches? Listen this marquee allowance is off the cap
Anyway so Koukash could offer him a million a year to play for Salford and it wouldn't count on the cap. SBW is only on a million oz dollars a year so I can't see burgess being on more than that somehow.

Tbf to the poster, I read it as though he was saying the NRL can easily replace Burgess due to their production line, like he says here.

Question for Saint Simon - Would you rather see Sam sign for Bath or Salford? '

Salford, 100%

Right then get baking Marwan and plead to the RFL to bring though this marquee allowance!