Dave Craven: Debate over Burgess’s future opens up numerous possibilities

The first part of that question would have most rugby league fans immediately and knowingly shouting out “Sam Burgess.”

But the remainder of it might see just as many thinking it was a link into some farcical joke.

However, if news from Down Under is true, the boy Burgess could soon, in theory, be appearing for at least one of those Australian representative sides.

The 24-year-old, who has arguably been the most eye-catching export since Castleford’s Mal Reilly headed to Manly in 1971, has got the Aussie media all excited this week by declaring he is a “New South Welshman.”

In the thick of State of Origin season Burgess conceded: “I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t love to play in that game.”

Given his love affair with South Sydney, where he has cemented his position as one of the world’s leading players since joining at the end of 2009, he would clearly be a Blue rather than the Maroon of Queensland and it opened the question about whether the Yorkshireman could ever actually feature in the renowned series.

Let’s face it, there has been some dubious selections during its recent history with a raft of Fijians, Papuans and Kiwis all being signed up for Queensland, while New South Wales adopted the mantra if they couldn’t beat them – quite literally in their case – they may as well join them by recruiting New Zealander James Tamou last year.

So, in light of all that, why not throw a Pom in there too?

The Origin rules have tightened, though, with it being decreed last December that a player must have lived in New South Wales or Queensland before their 13th birthday to play while, for an overseas-born recruit like Burgess, they must have been elected to play for Australia before December 2012.

It appears his hopes of ever stepping out into the Origin cauldron are over before they have even begun.

However, let’s not forget that the rules over there seem to be forever changing; it would not be too outlandish to think the charismatic forward might still get his wish before his burgeoning career is over.

That might not be a bad thing for English players.

As more and more of our finest talent head to the cash-rich NRL, imagine the knock-on effect created if they were allowed to challenge for Origin selection?

The famously intense and high calibre three-game series – which England coach Steve McNamara can only dream of in terms of a preparation for his own side – is meant to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to the Australian Test selectors’ thinking.

But if the likes of Burgess and his three talented siblings at Souths, plus James Graham, Gareth Widdop, Lee Mossop, Gareth Hock and, in the future, Sam Tomkins, were all to get that same opportunity it would not only raise their competitiveness but reduce the chances of some Australians along the way.

That is, of course, if all those Poms do not decide to then swap allegiances and play for Australia.

Burgess is currently in the process of applying for citizenship and some mischief-makers have suggested he could play for the Green and Golds once that comes through.

Ironically, the rules would not prevent him from doing that but he insists he has only gone through the process as he loves the lifestyle so much and wants to stay in Oz once his career concludes.

In fairness, it is hard to imagine someone as patriotic as Burgess ever turning his back on the England national side.

However, as England prepare to take on the Exiles in their own version of Origin tonight, the whole debate has certainly brought up some intriguing possibilities for the future of the international game.

For better, or for worse.