Dave Q
Coach
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Beep beep beep LU ladsters, tuning in to UK media for this classic Burgess background:-
By Telegraph staff and agencies (Uk)
Published: 6:20PM BST 29 Sep 2009
Star-struck: Sam Burgess was swayed by a face-to-face meeting with actor Russell Crowe, who has a controlling interest in the Rabbitohs Photo: GETTY IMAGES
The 20-year-old prop or back rower was under contract to the Bulls until the end of the 2010 season but the Super League club have agreed a compensation fee with the Rabbitohs.
Burgess, who has long held an ambition to play in Australia's National Rugby League, was pursued by a host of clubs but was swayed by a face-to-face meeting with actor Russell Crowe, who has a controlling interest in the Rabbitohs.
"It's a fantastic deal for Sam," said Burgess's manager Chris Caisley. "He's highly delighted and really looking forward to testing himself at that level."
Burgess, who was Super League's young player of the year in 2007 when he made his Great Britain debut, will play for England in the end-of-season Gillette Four Nations series before linking up with his new club.
Burgess missed last year's World Cup in Australia through injury but played in England's 66-12 win over France in June and, having been named in coach Tony Smith's train-on squad, is a certainty to make his final cut for the Four Nations.
He will become one of only three Englishmen to play in the NRL in 2010. Burgess' England team-mate Gareth Ellis has just completed a first season at Wests Tigers, where he will be joined next year by Wigan loose forward Mark Flanagan.
"Whilst I am excited about the prospect of playing in Australia, it has been a tough decision to make," he said.
"I have been at Bradford since I was 14 and have many friends at the club but playing in Australia has been an ambition since I was 15 and I am delighted that Souths have given me the opportunity to open a new chapter in my life.
"It's a good deal for both myself and the Bulls and I have really enjoyed my time at the Grattan Stadium.
"I am who I am today because of the Bradford Bulls systems that I have been in, because of the coaches and all the people at the club. Steve McNamara in particular, has been a massive influence on my career.
"They have all been very influential, both for myself and my career and I won't be turning my back on them because further down the line I'd like to think I may come back one day."
Today's announcement will be a blow to 2008 champions Manly Sea Eagles, who were earlier thought to be the front-runners for Burgess' signature but lost out to the persuasive tongue of Crowe, who took time out from filming in England this summer to meet the player.
"He could have more or less had his pick but he has chosen to go to Souths," said Caisley. "They did a very good PR job.
"They were one of the clubs able to take him under the salary cap and that was the starting point and, when we met Russell Crowe, Sam liked what he heard."
Caisley, a former Bradford chairman, was involved in talks between the two clubs over a compensation figure, thought to be around £200,000.
"It has taken some time to get there but we've come to an agreement on compensation," he added.
"I think everybody is pleased with the outcome. Sam only had a year left on his contract and at the end of next season would have gone for nothing."
The Bulls do have the option to re-sign Burgess, who has scored 17 tries in 79 appearances for the club, should he decide to resume his career in England and they match any other offer.
But Bradford chairman Peter Hood admitted the club could not stand in the player's way.
"It goes without saying we're all extremely disappointed to be losing a player whose potential to become one of the greats of the modern game is universally acknowledged," he said.
"We did everything we reasonably could to persuade him to stay but, to be fair to Sam, he has never made any secret of his determination to test himself in the NRL at the earliest opportunity.
"We were left in no doubt that Sam would walk free at the end of next season and, that being the case, it was simply a question of doing the right thing in the overall best interests of the club."
See the massive hit on ex-rabbitoh giant Fooey that made Sam famous:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFV6G0QKF3E
This clip was one of many shown by our recruitment team to the Souths cadre.
Our beloved Fooey; 108 kg, 183 cms, thrown by Sam like he was made of crepe paper!
The science on Fooey states that when he gets up a full ahead of steam, he hits you with almost lethal force, unless of course you are Sam Burgess!
More photographic action from secure.bebo.com:
I can tell you, that the Souths insiders (with all of their coolness and experience) are genuinely astonished at this incredible signing. Moreso because Sam has taken a pay cut to join us.
Once again brought to you by Rusty and the hard work of Souths Recruitment guru MARK HUGHES and his awesome team.
I can also confirm Sonic's revelation that he was signed several days before the rabbitohs official media release.
Love
Dave
By Telegraph staff and agencies (Uk)
Published: 6:20PM BST 29 Sep 2009
The 20-year-old prop or back rower was under contract to the Bulls until the end of the 2010 season but the Super League club have agreed a compensation fee with the Rabbitohs.
Burgess, who has long held an ambition to play in Australia's National Rugby League, was pursued by a host of clubs but was swayed by a face-to-face meeting with actor Russell Crowe, who has a controlling interest in the Rabbitohs.
"It's a fantastic deal for Sam," said Burgess's manager Chris Caisley. "He's highly delighted and really looking forward to testing himself at that level."
Burgess, who was Super League's young player of the year in 2007 when he made his Great Britain debut, will play for England in the end-of-season Gillette Four Nations series before linking up with his new club.
Burgess missed last year's World Cup in Australia through injury but played in England's 66-12 win over France in June and, having been named in coach Tony Smith's train-on squad, is a certainty to make his final cut for the Four Nations.
He will become one of only three Englishmen to play in the NRL in 2010. Burgess' England team-mate Gareth Ellis has just completed a first season at Wests Tigers, where he will be joined next year by Wigan loose forward Mark Flanagan.
"Whilst I am excited about the prospect of playing in Australia, it has been a tough decision to make," he said.
"I have been at Bradford since I was 14 and have many friends at the club but playing in Australia has been an ambition since I was 15 and I am delighted that Souths have given me the opportunity to open a new chapter in my life.
"It's a good deal for both myself and the Bulls and I have really enjoyed my time at the Grattan Stadium.
"I am who I am today because of the Bradford Bulls systems that I have been in, because of the coaches and all the people at the club. Steve McNamara in particular, has been a massive influence on my career.
"They have all been very influential, both for myself and my career and I won't be turning my back on them because further down the line I'd like to think I may come back one day."
Today's announcement will be a blow to 2008 champions Manly Sea Eagles, who were earlier thought to be the front-runners for Burgess' signature but lost out to the persuasive tongue of Crowe, who took time out from filming in England this summer to meet the player.
"He could have more or less had his pick but he has chosen to go to Souths," said Caisley. "They did a very good PR job.
"They were one of the clubs able to take him under the salary cap and that was the starting point and, when we met Russell Crowe, Sam liked what he heard."
Caisley, a former Bradford chairman, was involved in talks between the two clubs over a compensation figure, thought to be around £200,000.
"It has taken some time to get there but we've come to an agreement on compensation," he added.
"I think everybody is pleased with the outcome. Sam only had a year left on his contract and at the end of next season would have gone for nothing."
The Bulls do have the option to re-sign Burgess, who has scored 17 tries in 79 appearances for the club, should he decide to resume his career in England and they match any other offer.
But Bradford chairman Peter Hood admitted the club could not stand in the player's way.
"It goes without saying we're all extremely disappointed to be losing a player whose potential to become one of the greats of the modern game is universally acknowledged," he said.
"We did everything we reasonably could to persuade him to stay but, to be fair to Sam, he has never made any secret of his determination to test himself in the NRL at the earliest opportunity.
"We were left in no doubt that Sam would walk free at the end of next season and, that being the case, it was simply a question of doing the right thing in the overall best interests of the club."
See the massive hit on ex-rabbitoh giant Fooey that made Sam famous:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFV6G0QKF3E
This clip was one of many shown by our recruitment team to the Souths cadre.
Our beloved Fooey; 108 kg, 183 cms, thrown by Sam like he was made of crepe paper!
The science on Fooey states that when he gets up a full ahead of steam, he hits you with almost lethal force, unless of course you are Sam Burgess!
More photographic action from secure.bebo.com:
I can tell you, that the Souths insiders (with all of their coolness and experience) are genuinely astonished at this incredible signing. Moreso because Sam has taken a pay cut to join us.
Once again brought to you by Rusty and the hard work of Souths Recruitment guru MARK HUGHES and his awesome team.
I can also confirm Sonic's revelation that he was signed several days before the rabbitohs official media release.
Love
Dave
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