Burgess was left heartbroken yesterday when a specialist confirmed his worst fears and advised the 19-year-old to have immediate surgery on the injury he suffered in the defeat by Huddersfield earlier this month.

The news came as a massive, if not totally unexpected blow to Burgess, his club and England coach Tony Smith, for whom the reigning Super League young player of the year was a key figure in his World Cup plans.

However, McNamara, who is also Smith's assistant with England, believes the decision to book Burgess in for an operation next Monday was the right thing to do.

"What I'd love Sam to do is carry on in Super League, hopefully help the Bulls win the competition, then go on and be a star of the World Cup," said McNamara.

"He wants to do that, too, but we both realise what is right for him in this situation and with regard to his long-term future.

"He's bitterly disappointed, but I've told him he'll be a new man come the start of next season. That's why doing it now is the best option.

"Sam is only 19 and I'm sure he's going to have many, many opportunities to realise his ambitions with his club and country."

Burgess said: "It is really disappointing, but what I wanted to do, and what I know are right, are two different things.

"I'm doing the right thing by going in for the op now. It needs doing. I also know I wouldn't have been able to play to my best or do myself justice if I'd have carried on and this way I'll be fully fit for 2009."

Burgess had surgery on his other shoulder at the end of last season and has spent much of 2008 playing at prop, but McNamara dismissed any notion that the current injury was avoidable.

"Sam plays the game very hard and vigorous and there is nothing we could have done to avoid this," said McNamara. "He's one of the best defenders in the competition and his technique is very strong."


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