I never really understand this point of view. Most people move jobs for more money! It doesn't really matter how much you earn, unless of course you have worked for the same company since you started working ?

Why just because he plays sport should he have to stay somewhere for less money than he can earn somewhere else?

Yeah no one was looking after him in Aus, turning him in to a superstar, with a documentary about him no less. Im sure he would have struggled to find a role when he retired.

Again, Im not saying your wrong, I just wish people would be honest really.

He will talk about wanting a new challenge, about a different game etc. But really, when it comes down to it, its money.

And a little bit of a spit in the face of the people who made him so big Union even got interested.

See above, its just my opinion.

I mean, does anyone know what figure he is on at South Sydney? Im willing to bet its a decent wage.

This ^^^
Of course its a loss, but not sure how anyone can criticise Sam for taking the chance to earn greater exposure and money...what RL needs to do is improve its own International game.

My Sister, a well very qualified accountant, has just moved jobs to a role that pays her less.

On hearing that she was leaving, her now former employers offered her an even better deal, but she still chose to leave. Why? Two reasons - the new role will be more enjoyable/less stressful for her and evn though it may not pay as much, its still enough to live very well. The extra 10,15 or 20K a year just simply wouldn't be enough to make up for the reduced quality of life.

However, Sam is only going to be a player until he's 30 something, which somewhat changes the goalposts, he's got a long time after that and a stint playing Rugby union for England can open a lot of doors. Players who won the world cup in 2003 get money thrown at them by large corporations for "motivational speaking" and like that, nevermind the seemingly more lucrative coaching carer paths that code offers.

Massively disappointed about his move, but expected it. A world class player and probably the best prop in the world in his prime. However, he has never won anything in his career. In a few years, that's what he will be known as, the good player who never kicked on to win anything.

Fully understand this I turned a job down last year marginally more money but would have meant more time away from my family.
However had that job been 10 years ago when I was young and single I would have taken it as it didn't matter then. And it was only marginally more, one would assume Sam is leaving for at least marginally more and let's be honest sportsmen and women only really "work" for a couple of hours a day over the course of a calendar year so it certainly won't impact his family life! Well aside from they all live in aus now!

Just always make my wonder why fans can't see that it's just work to them.

Fully understand this I turned a job down last year marginally more money but would have meant more time away from my family.
However had that job been 10 years ago when I was young and single I would have taken it as it didn't matter then. And it was only marginally more, one would assume Sam is leaving for at least marginally more and let's be honest sportsmen and women only really "work" for a couple of hours a day over the course of a calendar year so it certainly won't impact his family life! Well aside from they all live in aus now!

Just always make my wonder why fans can't see that it's just work to them.

Fair play to Sam Burgess I say..

He's a superstar in RL and other than GF wins he has acheived all that he'll do in RL... Internationally he can't get any more - England just can't win a title so no point him waiting on that each year.

Internationally and commercially RU is the bigger draw globally so his name and the challenges will be bigger for him.

You're only a professional sportsman for a few years of your overall life... he should try to achieve and collect as much as he can before retirement.

I think his best position will be centre in RU - the forwards is too much technically for him to master (especially if he wants to play in the RWC next year).

Let's enjoy Sam Burgess in RL for the coming season and wish him well for the future after that... chances are he may come back again, but no one can fault the effort and skill he has put into the RL game.

So he has won NOTHING.
He has been crocked for a 1/3 of his Test career.
He can show his kids all of the Medals he hasn't won.

Done bugger all other than be a show Pony and isn't good enough to lace his Idols mercenary Boots in $BW

I sincerely hope he breaks his leg and never recovers any sort of form.

not just because I think he's a Judas for moving to union, but the more big money 'flops' union sign means they're less likely to come knocking with their cherquebooks and the weight of the media machine firmly on their side


The rugby league-rugby union issue runs so much deeper than 'just another pay cheque', and players whom rugby league has made into the stars they are and delivered very handsome salaries to, should respect the history of our code.

Oh, and for anyone saying that a player's career is short and over by their early/mid-thirties, retraining within one's working life is a fact of life. Why should they be different to the rest of us plebs?