One of England’s best forwards in recent years has been former Bradford Bulls prop and current South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Tom Burgess.
A man who has played in Australia for so long, he spoke recently about wanting to help grow English rugby league on 9News and said he’s open to a move to Super League noting that he grew up a Leeds Rhinos fan – the team his older brother Luke won a Grand Final with in 2009.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post during the World Cup: “I’d love to come back for a stint in Super League. I want the game to do well in England – I’m a very proud Englishman and a very proud Yorkshireman.
“I grew up supporting Leeds so you never say never with that sort of stuff. Hopefully with this tournament we can really give a shot of life to rugby league in this country.”
However, it now seems Burgess wants to stay at South Sydney.
“I would love to stay with Souths,” Burgess told Fox Sports.
“I have been here for 10 years now. It’s my last year on contract, but I’m pretty confident we can get something organised and get a new deal sorted, whether it is a year or two I am pretty keen to stay.”
Now that his brother Sam is back at the club, there is another reason for Burgess to stay.
“It is great on a personal note to have my brother back,” Burgess said.
“I missed him a bit last year being away quite a lot of the year coaching the Orara Valley Axemen.
“It is great to have him around more, but then coming into work every day and seeing my brother here brings back a lot of great memories when I first moved to Australia when we lived together.
“He is on the coaching staff now, so he has got to keep me in line, but it is pretty similar to when he was a player.
“He always looked out for me and mentored me, so I feel like he is doing a similar role for me, but he is just not out on the field with us anymore.
“I’m sure he would love to, but his body is not there now, but it is great to have him back and I think he is going to add a lot to our team with his leadership and his mindset as well.”
