Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, I guess. And its a newspaper article that quotes him (selectively or otherwise...dunno) rather than looking like copy straight from the club - bear that in mind.

But I fear the article creates more uncertainty and implies more issues for concern than ever it resolves.

From an england P.O.V it will be great for him and the national side.
From the bulls side of things it's a massive loss and unless there a some major quality signings waiting to be announced the seasons of discontent are set to continue for a while longer.

IMO it's done more harm than good. Also the club could do with employing some real PR person for the club because at the moment all we get are conflicting messages.

Perhaps it will be a little clearer in a few weeks why we have yet to announce any new players since Hall and L'Estrange. If a deal was agreed for Burgess some weeks ago then the club would surely have wanted time to conclude other deals before making that announcement. It is frustrating waiting but the season only ended a couple of weeks ago.

The club will want their recruitment pretty much finalised and announced by the end of Oct to maximise season ticket sales. I expect we will have a much better idea of the side for 2010 this time next month.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing indeed. Whatever you think about all 3 players when they were here (and I agree with the points you have made) the form that they have all shown since - particularly Les's injury - you can't say in any case that we didn't i) get the best out of those players in their career and ii) sell at the right time, hindsight or otherwise

At the end of the day, yes he has the potential to be awesome. He is only one player and we could keep him and he obtain a carear ending injury in the four nations. Its not the end of the world. Don't get me wrong, I'd love him to stay but its not as if he wants to move to our neighbours. Good luck to the lad if and when he goes.

The timing could be better, but it could be a whole lot worse. The club seem to have been expecting this I feel, hence the delay in confirming a few signings knowing Sam was going to leave for Aus once Souths stumped up an ok offer.

Providing we get a replacement ala Moi Moi and use any cash we receive to strengthen the backs I think it probably will work out ok.

The club do need to sort out PR though.

If he wants to go there is little the club could do to stop him. But if there is no signings forthcoming then I see big problems.
We now apparently have some money to spend, lots of cap space and 2 overseas places. I'm still hopeful of some good news. Please.

I agree. Players come and go that is the nature of sport. It is disappointing but we all support the Bulls not Sam Burgess the player. It may even turn out to be exactly the right time for him to leave. At this moment in time we're in a bit of a mess and looks years away from having a realistic tilt at the SL. However by the time his contract is up we may well have at least one Burgess established in our team maybe two and looking in a much better position. Whether he would want to return I cannot answer but it would surely be an attraction. I can absolutely see why he wants to go over, I'd do the same in his position and good luck to him.

I think we all agree that his replacement is crucial though. He needs to be an all action Prop, one that will lift the crowd and the team when he enters the field. Moi Moi would fit the bill and it would appear is available as well..

I agree with post of the posts viz Sam. But I can see it being 10 years before he is back providing he keeps his form.

I'd be very surprised if he stayed that long. I think he'll come back to SL looking for a big pay day before then.

Warrington it is then.

Exactly. In 10 years he will be the same age Morley came back.