Sam Burgess: The Prodigal Son

By Joshua Mason

Sam Burgess will make a triumphant return to Rugby League on Sunday, but the news will fall on deaf ears at the RFU and Bath Rugby. The cross code star is back in his adopted home of Sydney to take part in the biggest derby match in the NRL.

His adventure into Rugby has left quite a trail of destruction, confusion and a blame game. League will view this as a victory as they have their star man back, and  Union will be kicking themselves as they could have had a player with immense potential to destroy the defenses of any team.

 

Burgesses Gap Year

Burgess joined Bath in October 2014 and the fans at the Rec were licking their lips to have a mega star to rival other teams in the Premiership and abroad. There seemed to be a plan put in place when Burgess came to England; The strategy was to create their very own Sonny Bill-Williams, whose incredible achievements in crossing codes has been unmatched.

 

The New Zealander showed what can be achieved at this year’s Rugby World Cup with a tremendous display as an impact substitute, using his handling and off-loading skills gained from Rugby League on Union’s biggest stage. Burgess managed 21 matches and 4 tries for Bath, too short a time for a man who grew up in League on Yorkshire fields to learn all the necessities to make it as a Rugby Union star.

Ironically the masterminds of Burgess’ arrival were the reason for his return ticket. The RFU and Bath’s mismanagement of the most basic question – what position will he play – Was laughable. The national team putting him in the backs and his club team utilizing him at flanker. I’m sure he could have done either role as his size could have been devastating to any opposition. At flanker his handling would have be an excellent addition to a pack of cumbersome forwards. Newly appointed England Coach Eddie Jones had his say on the affair with strong opinions.

“They definitely weren’t focused enough on how to improve Burgess as a player. You had Bath playing him at 12 and then at No6 and England wanting to play him at inside-centre. You have a guy who comes from rugby league and you ask him to play in two completely different positions – how silly is that?” (the guardian).

I tend to agree with the former Japanese Coach. It was an incredible mismanagement by the powers that be, and I believe they let Sam Burgess down and never gave him a chance to bed in and realize his full potential.

Return of a Hero?

So Sam Burgess moves on, or back, whichever it is – he won’t be complaining. The Yorkshireman returns to sunny Sydney on a contract worth $1.5m a year, which makes him the highest payed Rugby League player in the world. It also places him in the top 3 including Rugby Union players, and when you see those alongside him such as Dan Carter, you can see how valued he is by Rugby League! Either way the decision to quit Bath has not hurt his bank account.

Burgess returns to South Sydney Rabbitohs very much a hero in their eyes after helping them to win an NRL title in the season before his adventure, “It was never in question really about looking elsewhere at any of the clubs. I would find it very hard to put a different shirt on.”

The game he returns in will be the derby Rabbitohs vs Roosters this Sunday (29/11/2015). I am sure NRL played a big part in his return as they have been struggling with attendances that have been reducing every year from 2004. They will view the return of their star as a marketing god-send. This investment in Big Sam is exactly what he felt he was not getting from the RFU. With Rabbitohs trailing the Roosters by 10 points on the NRL ladder the return of Burgess will help them in their climb, as I am sure he has not forgotten how to play in his ‘sabbatical’.

It looks as if Burgess will be enjoying the Sun for a long time and the mourning of his Union career will be short-lived. Bath Rugby and RFU however, are left with dealing with the fall

 

Bath Dip Their Toe in the Market

 Bath moved quickly in their quest to find a quick replacement for Sam Burgess. David Denton was roped into the project from Edinburgh and with 32 caps for Scotland, he definitely has the experience to outshine Burgess, but it remains to be seen whether he can match the potential. Mike Ford claims they are stronger with Denton in the squad but this could just be a nod to the lack of disruption he would cause to the squad over Burgess. Bath captain Stuart Hooper’s refusal to allow Burgess to say goodbye to the squad illustrated this but he seemed to have the backing of the squad. The loss would have hurt Bath but along with Denton, Luke Charteris has joined from the glamorous Racing 92 and with it brings more positive news for life after the Rugby League star.

Kyle Eastmond has been linked to follow Burgess back to Rugby League with Warrington Wolves but despite the disappointment of being looked over by the England selectors this year he has never lost the support by Bath. His performances last year shows what can be achieved with a cross code player. Bath Rugby will be keen to stop anyone from leaving again, as they look to launch another challenge for the Aviva Premiership.

Burgess will certainly be able to forget his 5 English tests quickly and enjoy becoming a millionaire in the sun. But I think that the last year will linger in the memory of English Rugby Union for many years, at least until the next World Cup, when I am sure the stuffy organisation will fail to adapt again.