Sam Burgess vows to show South Sydney Rabbitohs fans passion despite leaving

SAM Burgess has vowed to convince Souths fans of his passion for the club despite announcing his defection to English rugby.

SAM Burgess has vowed to convince Souths fans of his passion for the club this season despite announcing his defection to English rugby at the end of the year.

The superstar forward has signed a lucrative two-and-a-half year deal with English club Bath with a plan to represent England at next year’s World Cup.

But Burgess insisted he loves the Rabbitohs and would prove it when the NRL kicks off next month.

“With the deal with we’ve done, Souths have got first and last offer if I do come back to rugby league,” Burgess said in an interview on Souths’s website.

“I do love this club to bits, people might think otherwise because I’m moving on, but certainly when the games start coming around and people see the passion I have for the club in the way I’m playing, then hopefully they’ll believe what I’m saying.

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“If I do come back to rugby league, the Rabbitohs will be the first call.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here, the last four-and-a-bit years have been fantastic.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself, the game, I’ve had some great memories, not only playing for this club but in this country.

“I’ve met so many great people that I’ll keep in contact with for the rest of my life.

“It has been a cracking experience and I don’t intend for it to end soon, hopefully we can end it with something special.”

Burgess, 25, lamented that his sensational defection had been revealed in the press before he publicised his intentions.

“The more people that got involved in this, it was always going to get out in the press,” Burgess said.

News_Image_File: Luke and Sam Burgess celebrate. Pic Brett Costello

“I’m disappointed that I wasn’t the first to break the news to everyone, that’s how I envisaged it, I wanted to be the first to tell our fans and members, but in today’s day things get out.

“The media like to get a hold of all the things, the media have certainly thrown out some stories that are 100 per cent not true, I think they were just trying to pressure me into coming out and not talking.

“Legally, and for the protection of the parties in England, the best thing to do was stay quiet until everything was sorted and I can come out and put everything to bed.

“After this it’s done and dusted for me, I’ve got to put it behind me, and concentrate on a cracking final year at the Bunnies, and enjoy every moment in the red and green.

“There has been a lot of speculation in the media which I would have preferred to keep out, I would like to be the first person to announce the news.

News_Image_File: Sam Burgess heads on to the field for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. pic Mark Evans

“But I’d just like to confirm myself that I’m moving on at the end of the season, going to play rugby union in England for Bath.

“But I’ll finish this season with Souths, I’ll give it everything I’ve got, I won’t change one thing or my love for the club.

“But I’m moving on at the end of the year to take up two-and-a-half years with Bath rugby.

“There’s many reasons, many motivational reasons behind the decision.

“It has been a tough decision, a tough time, I had a lot of pressure on him, obviously being restricted to be able to talk about it until now which has been tough.

“Once the rumours spread I wanted to let the members know, let my teammates know, let my friends and family know as well.

“The decision itself to move away South Sydney was tough.

News_Image_File: Sam Burgess passes the ball during South Sydney Rabbitohs "extras " training. Picture Gregg Porteous

“But the chance to play back in England, I’ve really missed my home country, and with a chance to hopefully represent England in the World Cup in 2015, and then there’s a lot going on after that, I thought it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.

“I’ve had it in the back of my mind for a lot of years now, but it’s really come to fruition.”

Burgess’s final message for the Rabbitohs faithful was: “I just want to say thanks for your support over the years, thanks for your continued support over the next 12 months, and I look forward to doing my best for the club, for the members, for my teammates, for the coaching staff over the next 12 months.”

It’s understood the Rabbitohs have received compensation payment of around $960,000 from Bath for releasing Burgess from the final two years of his NRL contract.

Burgess is seen as a potential inside centre for England, who will be looking to win their second World Cup and first on home soil.

News_Image_File: Sam Burgess goes close to scoring.

In a statement from Bath, Burgess is quoted as saying: “Bath are a very ambitious club, who have a talented young squad, brilliant coaches and a world class set-up and ethos, and I can’t wait to get my head down and start learning the game.

“Having said that, until the move, my focus will be completely on the Rabbitohs and helping them go one step further.”

Bath head coach, Mike Ford, added: “I’ve known Sam since his rugby league days in England and he is an exceptionally talented athlete. He’s hard working, a huge presence both on and off the field, and an ambitious young Englishman, all of which are qualities that we are building our squad around.

“I’ve no doubt Sam will fit in seamlessly here at Bath and we’re looking forward to having him join us and start making the transition.”