Burgess, the new morley??

Great to see young English players like Burgess and Flanagan going over to compete in the best competition in the world.

He has the potential IMO to be better even than Mozza.

I agree with most that t is good for the English game. Less overseas players over here and more players of international quality playing over there.
Should make it for a marginally stronger England team and in theory one less Aussie Prop playing in the NRL.
Rugby league needs a stronger England team to beat the Aussies in a series or World cup. Probability makes me think that when we eventually win against the Aussies it will be when the England Football team win the world cup, negating any impact that the success will have due to the Hysteria and national outpouring that we will see due to the fuuuuuzball.

Totally agree, our top young players want to be tested against the best in the world and obviously they believe that's in the NRL. Bulls fans must be choked to lose a player of Burgess' quality. It seems to me it's as much the lifestyle change that's the attraction as the RL factor. Being paid well to play the game you love in a country as great as Oz must be fantastic.

The only way we'll have any chance to beat the Aussies, other than in a one off test, is if our best young talent play with the same intensity week in week out that their Aussie counterparts do. The only way they'll do that is if they up sticks and move to the NRL.

It is a great, and courageous move by Burgess (and Flanagan too). It may be bad for Super league to see a player of Burgess's stature leave, but I would far rather a top player go and test themselves in the NRL than switch to kick and clap.

The probability of England winning the football World Cup is as close to nil as makes no difference.

I'd say its about the same probability as Warrington winning the Challenge Cup.

Wouldn't of minded him in a Wire shirt, Fantastic player and so young.

Two different style of players. Never seen Burgess as a second rower really. Souths won't be short of forward options next year though I wouldn't say his spot is garunteed.

I don't think you know your football if this is your opinion.

England have a great chance of winning, the primary reason being that they have the best coach in International football.

Also they have had the last two summers off while Spain have been playing well into July.

For me its between favourites Brazil, Spain and England the dark horses. If anyone else becomes champions I'll be very surprised.

Fancy a bet, then? The clamour that England could win happened under Sven, following the 5-1 demolition of Germany in 2001. Germany made the 02 final.
Capello has negotiated a ridiculously easy group - admittedly, they've done it well, but England are still enormously overrated.

Why is it that we can only seem to produce forwards who are good enough to play in the NRL? What does it say about our game development?

Really ?

Ian Sibbitt. Chris Thorman. Brian Carney. Richie Mathers. Jordan Tansey.

I'd say we've sent more backs than forwards in say, the last decade.

He'll have sort his glass shoulder out