Do you not think the 'Burgess' surname will be a noose around his neck? It's a lot of pressure.

He,s backing himself to sucked and as a bunnies fan I hope he does, Matt king next to sign for souths??

Oh I see, move the goalposts. Not what you insinuated in that he'd be lucky to play in reserve grade over here. But we'll let that go through to the keeper.

Nothing lucky about their feeder team arrangement, would be better if all NRL sides had their own reserves again like they used to. Well, what do you think happens when there are more than two props??? The bench. Like in first grade. Norths players will be rested or go to A grade. Or indeed, players can play elsewhere, as an example, I notice J Lo, has played for your team. At Norths, he often played second row. Souths will let Norths know where they want their players to play.

Just dug this out from the first game Norths had as Souths reserve grade side, Sun 25 Mar 2007 v Parra. Looks handy don't it

Isaac Gordon
Troy Boston
Germaine Paulson
Yilleen Gordon
Fetuli Talanoa
Beau Champion
Clark Webb
Manase Manuakafoa
Isaac Luke
Jaiman Lowe
Joe Gulavao
Shannan McPherson
Ben Rogers
Jardine Bobongie
Conrad Ta'akimoeaki
Ryan Verlinden
Chris Dears

Interesing as this was 4 years ago Fair enough. Look how many play regular first grade. Not a bad reserve grade side though eh?

I recall Bully being on the bench for us as Stuart Webb was above him in the pecking order at hooker for Souths. Now look at him. Champ was playing reserve grade for Crounlla over the weekend.


What about the team that played in the Grand Final in 07? Is that more to your liking?

David Peachey
Reece Simmonds
Germaine Paulson
Yileen Gordon
Troy Boston
Beau Champion
Joe Williams
Scott Geddes
Daniel Irvine
Mike Greenfield
Shannon McPherson
Eddy Pettybourne
Ben Lowe
Jadrine Bobongie
Ryan Verlinden
Joe Falemaka
Eddie Paea

Hardly. That's arguably a worse side than the one above without Luke in it. It might be a good reserve grade side but it's still a reserve grade side. Four years on there's only a couple who command a first grade spot. I'd say only Champion, Geddes, Pettybourne, McPherson and Lowe are now regular first graders and even then they're not exactly standouts and would only play first grade at certain clubs.

No, Luke will just go about his business as usual. His game will suit the NRL and he never gives anything but 100%. I think most Souffs fans realise he isnt his brother but I know that I wish he hadn't left Leeds as he's been our top performing prop this season before his injury.

Fully agree

I think he will go well, seems hungry enough for it.

What have Souths got to lose?
They are perennial Losers that have big Rusty trying to buy anyone on the market for above the odds.
They are bumping along at 11th with 6 wins from 14 games.
They have signed supposedly the best Forward in the World Sam Burgess
The Best Centre in the World Greg Inglis
The Biggest and best Oz forward coming through Dave Taylor
Now the best player signed by SL in recent times Matt King

Add them to the rest....

Ex Test hitman Michael Crocker getting his last big cheque
Issac Luke the most likely Kiwi Test player to turn a game
Nathan Merritt once a fringe Rep player with a solid Try record.
Add Roy Asotasi ex Kiwi Test regular.
Up and comers Sandow and never really developed Sutton

None of the above would come cheap, maybe its time for Luke to have a run for a Carton of Beer for a win?

They will because 'Sicknote Luke' doesnt have quite the same ring to it as 'Sicknote Sam'

Went OK today I thought. Not bad to say he's just got off the plane anyway. Got decent game time off the bench and made 4 tackles in a row in his first set on the field.

Stats

Minutes - 43
Hit ups - 11
Metres - 84
Tackle Brks - 1
Tackles - 28
Penalties - 2

That's a bit of a myth, he's actually bigger than sam - same height and wider. He may not be an eye catching forward like sam but as those stats suggest he gets through some work.

as a myth its a bloody good one...

I watched them stood together on the pitch at Cronulla and Sam even in civvies... looked considerably bigger than Luke...

but I shall bow to your obvious greater knowledge.