Burgess. Are you new to RL?

Who? I know there a three brothers that play for Sydney, Tom, George and Luke...Sam? Never heard of him.

All this wailing is ridiculous. Superleague has taken a decision to cut off access to the world's best players by sticking with a very low cap. Some people think this is good for the game, some don't, but it's what's been decided. If you seriously think world-class players in their prime are going to come from the NRL or RU to Superleague, you're delusional. We made the decision to block money out of the game in order to allow the likes of Wakefield to 'catch up'. It was a never going to be without consequences, so all we can do is live with those consequences. Blaming players, former players, whatever, is a load of BS. We set it up this way, for better or worse. Can't have it both ways. Nothing will change in respect of attracting world-class players with the current system in place, so get used to it. SL is in, at best, the 'second tier' of world rugby, by choice.

Recent converts aren't exactly setting the world alight.

Chris Ashton had a few good years, however he now seems to have fallen out of favour at international level.

Kyle Eastmond has played a couple of meaningless internationals and does get England Saxons selections, I doubt they'll trust him in a serious international.

Joel Tomkins was possibly going to be outside centre for England, however he got injured towards the end of 2013.

To be fair, there were posts from Aussie based species that said, aside from his playing ability, Burgess was starting to get a very bad rep as a "grub", as they like to put it.

Its a funny one, I haven't particularly read the figures quoted, but given the bumper new NRL deal, it seems like money won't be the only reason he's gone.
Maybe its to emulate SBW's achievements of being a dual international, maybe he longs for the stardom in his homeland that England RU has given him, maybe he sees more opportunities for after his playing career if he's played union, maybe he thinks his career will last longer playing a lower impact sport (or that he'll be in better nick when he finishes), maybe he's shagged Tom's girlfriend and none of the other Burgesses are talking to him?

Honestly, I just find it pathetic.

Money talks etc = Yeah, cos he will be on peanuts at the NRL = Greed
Homesick = Fine, then go with the game that made you, again its not like you wont be able to afford to live = Greed
Bigger Internationals = Boring internationals, possible scapegoat, but higher national recognition in England = Ego

In short, very disappointed.

I know I sound bitter but I would have zero sympathy if he failed at Union and came back wanting a new contract.

I would have even less if the NRL told him where to go if that was the case.

Kyle Eastmond touches the ball about 5 times in an average match for Bath. Rest assured that they will have every last ounce of creativity and confidence ripped out of him and he will return to RL in a few years as a pale shadow of his former self.

Your right it is common sense, if your greedy. Playing a sport isn't a normal job with normal career aspects.

Look at another situation, you work in England and your employer pays for you to do a masters. You do this, then go abroad and earn good money, 5 years later, with a full wallet, you decide to return home.

You can go back to your old employer, who got you on the ladder and opened all the doors for you, and you can get a decent wage for it, have your choice of where to go etc.

Or you can go to the big competitor company, for some more money and everyone off.

Its just annoying.

You are right, it isn't a normal job with normal career aspects - it's a lot shorter career, if you compare your average joe working in an office till you are 60/65.

How many ex pro's actually get back into the game in any capacity that pays them anything decent? Not many if you look at the number of pros in the game! So they deserve to have the chance to earn as much as they can while they are playing - be it, SL, NRL or Union!

And the stress and strain that is put on a professional sportsman's body you would have them earn 30/40 grand a year like your average joe that sits on his/her backside for 40 hours a week? They already earn peanuts for what they put themselves thru compared to football, so I say good on him - look after number 1, as no one else will!!

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.