Burgess tipped to be a union success

rugby league: Sam Burgess could make a successful switch of codes, according to England rugby league head coach Steve McNamara.

Bath are favourites to lure the 25-year-old former Bradford forward to the Aviva Premiership in a deal which, it has been claimed, could be part-funded by the Rugby Football Union.

Both the RFU and Burgess’s Australian club South Sydney have played down the speculation but it is thought a deal will go through if Bath are prepared to meet the asking price of around £500,000 for a player still under contract to the end of 2016.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s absolutely everywhere,” McNamara said from Sydney, where he is working as an assistant coach with the Roosters. “Right now it is all speculation, nobody has come out and said he’s going.

“But we all recognise what a huge loss he would be to the game of rugby league and specifically the England team.

“He was pretty sensational for us at the end of last season

“Sam is the jewel in the crown of rugby league at the minute but I’m sure he will make the best decision for himself.”

Burgess was man of the match in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by New Zealand at Wembley in November and runner-up to Jonathan Thurston as 2013 Golden Boot winner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As Bradford coach, McNamara gave Burgess his Super League debut at the age of 17.

He has yet to speak to Burgess over his proposed switch but has no doubt the player could adapt to the 15-man code, where he is seen as an inside centre.

“He’s not talked directly about his plans,” McNamara said. “We speak a fair bit about various different things.

“He was very young at Bradford, going through some pretty tough times, with his father’s illness and learning to be a Super League player, and we are very close in terms of that.

“Sam will speak to me at the right time I am sure.”