Is it just me who thinks it's just you?

I want him to be a success just to prove that League produces the better athlete.

It's no surprise that Union poach players from RL, especially for a World cup year, it just goes to show how intelligent the league players are to adapt so quickly.

There haven't been too many success stories of players coming from Union in RL. A recent success could be Gareth Thomas, on the flip side of that Powell at Wigan was average, and he was meant to be one of the best players in the Wales Union side.

Once Sam leaves Union, I just want him to come out and say his experience of Union was Gash! Something I'm sure Kyle Eastmond will do once his contract expires.

They are two very different games though, and being a success in one and not the other 'proves' very little, imo. I don't blame him for doing it, the life of a professional sportsman is quite short in terms of a lifetime and a career can be ended at any time by injury . The money swilling about over there is well out of our RL planet too, so it's probably a 'no-brainer' for him and his family.

It's just I'm a rugby league fan and I'm not really interested in how he goes on.

Erm, no he wasn't.
He had a lucky few games, where they realised he could do a bit of line breaking.
Apart from that, he was an average to good back rower, but certainly not 'one of the best'.
He had an attitude problem too. Remember the incident on the M4 with the golf cart?
He'll be remembered far more as a 'character' than what he achieved, or could've achieved, on the field.

TBH, Burgess going to Union came on the back of the England RU team not putting in the performances and the RFU pushing the panic button and grabbing the biggest profile RL star they can that is eligible in some way to pull on an England shirt.

I wish him all the best personally but I have mixed feelings.

If he’s a big success it’ll make more RL players potential targets for Union, so more could go.

I’m no expert at union but I’m not sure where he’d fit on the field in the 15 man game. In the backs he’s got the power and the skills but I’m less convinced about his speed, acceleration and agility to play there. I know that Tuilagi is hardly an agile lithe whippet either but he does look a bit quicker in acceleration than Sam, if lacking Sam’s flair and power.

In the forwards he’d be wasted as he’d rarely get opportunities to run the ball and he’d use up a lot of energy at scrums, lineouts and all that scrabbling around they do (rucking and mauling).

I’m not sure it will be as rewarding (in a non-monetary sense) and enjoyable as playing for Souths. He will of course get paid heaps and as he’s got about 6-7 years of being a top flight athlete left he should make the most of it.

If any RL forward can make it it’s him as he’s got the drive and commitment to be a success.

If they want maximum potential impact in the short term, then centre is the way to go. Like SBW. But if given time to develop into the role, he could redefine loose forward in Union.

Fantastic, positive article about Sam in a national paper this week, good read. Does real credit to the man www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... de-of.html

Fantastic, positive article about Sam in a national paper this week, good read. Does real credit to the man www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... de-of.html

Do you have any means of contacting him, John? I imagine he might be quite hard to get to these days, given his profile.

Powell had the potential to make it in league for sure. I used to think watching him forWales that he would make a good league player. I think attitude let him down at the end of the day.

Scott Quinnell made the transition successfully.

Scott Quinnell was a top player and could have been a much bigger star in our game if he'd come earlier in his career. IIRC, he came during the time when union players were still pretending they didn't get paid, so maybe it's a little surprising he didn't.

They all fail to mention Chris Ashton and Kyle Eastmond and Myler must have been brought up with League in his body. Usual selective reporting from a RU perspective.
And on the coaching side Shaun Edwards, Mike Ford, Graham Steadman at Ireland and Farrell and bRian Ashton I believe.

PM sent Mike.

he was hardly outstanding....just another ex RL player, who is a good kick/clap coaqch