I tend to agree. If he'd grown up playing Union then I can imagine he would be world class - he's got the talent - but he didn't. I think it's a real shame he's switched code, league badly needs players like him.

I said at the time I didn't think it would happen just because I don't think it works for anybody. Physically he does not fit in the game of union without a lot of time developing the core skills of a forward.

Financially, he won't have come cheap, and the RFU could end up with egg on their faces if it doesn't go well.

League loses out, because another player who is at the top of the game has defected for the other code.

I agree with this.I also think Sam has had assurances that he will play a part in the WC next year no matter what which is obviously the big draw card the RFU has money aside.

I dont see him staying, nor do i think he has any intention of staying in Union more than a couple of years and have no doubt he will be back sooner rather than later.As others have said, given time and patience he could be a great forward in the other code but i don't think he is going to be willing to go down that route.

I might be wrong, but wasn't this purely a Bath Rugby investment? I thought the RFU had given up financing these moves.

On Sam Burgess, I read earlier that he was the first non-Australian to win the Clive Churchill medal. Is it daft of me to be a bit surprised that no kiwis have ever won it?

As I understand it, the RFU had agreed to finance part of the deal but Bath wouldn't agree to play him as and when the RFU requested and in the position of the RFU's choice. Bath were paying his wages and wanted choice to play him as they see fit so the RFU pulled out completely.

I suspect that the article below will scupper any chances in the short term of Burgess returning to any SL club: www.loverugbyleague.com/news_164 ... eturn.html

I suspect that the article below will scupper any chances in the short term of Burgess returning to any SL club: www.loverugbyleague.com/news_164 ... eturn.html

I wonder what will be going through his mind next October when he will be playing for England in the RU World Cup against Russia or Uruguay at Etihad Stadium, when up road on the very same evening it will be the Superleague Grand Final

I won the NRL premiership and the clive Churchill medal this time last year and now the RFU are giving me sack loads of cash to play against these turkeys infront of 50,000 fans?

They are probably the only thoughts that will keep him going.

Good luck to him , he deserves the rest

Dunno.

If he plays in the World Cup (and I don't think he will), maybe we would be better asking what will be going through his mind when he lines up against Wales at Twickenham in front of 80000 while his England RL counterparts are contemplating not being able to sell out Doncaster's ground for the same fixture.

Or a similar crowd for a meaningful fixture against Australia that he has a credible chance of winning.

He'll be kicking himself.

I'm pretty confident he will have had no such assurances.

Willie Mason was born in NZ but obviously played for Aus. As close as you are going to get.

Where did you read that?

I'm pretty sure that Wiganer Dave Bolton (Balmain) earned a Clive Churchill medal for his MoM performance in the 1969 Grand Final.

He did, but his and many others from before 1986 were awarded the medal retrospectively. Burgess is the first non-Australian to win it properly on the occasion of the game since the Clive Churchill medal was introduced in 1986 for the MOM of the GF. At the time Bolton may have been the MOM but he didn't get a Clive Churchill medal. Of course you'll probably know this, you're just once again deliberately being an ar$e.

Clive Churchill was actually the losing coach the year Dave Bolton was MOM in 1969.

Internet somewhere.