Sam Burgess signs long-term contract in historic deal for South Sydney Rabbitohs
SAM Burgess says he will have no hesitation of walking away early from his new long-term deal with South Sydney if he feels like his best football has is behind him.
Rabbitohs
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rabbitohs. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SAM Burgess says he will have no hesitation of walking away early from his long-term deal with South Sydney if he feels like his best football has is behind him.
Burgess re-signed with the club until the end of 2023, adding four more years to his current deal which does not expire until next year. The deal is worth more than $1 million a season with Burgess turning 35 in the year the contract expires.
The long-term contract has provisions in it which means Burgess and the club could cut short the deal.
MORE NEWS
Cameron Smith to play one more year
“At any stage throughout this contract if I’m not up to it, the last thing I want to do is put myself out there and not do a job,” Burgess said. “When the time is right we’ll make the right call. The goal is to get to the end of 2023. The game is getting faster and harder. I want to be healthy post-career. I want to leave on my terms. I’m confident I’ll do that. It gives me great security.”
Coach Anthony Seibold said Burgess only had to look at teammate John Sutton for inspiration. Sutton, who turns 34 in November, is in career best form.
“We’ve been really smart with how we prepare Sam,” Seilbold said. “He is a great pro. He is honest enough as well. He is his biggest critic of his game. If he didn’t think he could play for another four years he wouldn’t commit that long.”
Barring injury Burgess will end his career as the second most capped Rabbitoh behind Sutton. While Burgess had a rugby sojourn in 2015, the English international said Sydney and the Rabbitohs is now home.
“It’s never been about money for me,” Burgess said. “If I’m comfortable and I think it’s fair I’ll move on it. I’ve never been one to float around the market and pump the prices. If I’m comfortable and happy let’s do the deal.
“You can’t build a team if you have too many players in the team like (who shop themselves around). We have a limit to spend. For it to work and retain players in the cap there needs to be some give and take.
“I’m not saying I’m giving all my money away. Let’s not be stupid. But I’ve never made it about that.
“I feel like I’ve invested a lot of love into the club so to walk away from that and try and fall in love with someone else I would find it too hard. The feelings I have for south Sydney far out way any money value anywhere else.”
South Sydney will now look to keep the Burgess trio together with twins George and Tom off-contract at the end of next season.
Sam said discussions between his brothers and the club would start at the end of the season.
“You’ve seen this year we’ve been treated as individuals and it’s worked,” Burgess said. “That’s why it’s not a package deal. The twins will go through their own process.
“I’d hate to play against them.”
Get 3 months free Sport HD + Entertainment on a 12 month plan and watch every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. T & Cs apply. SIGN UP NOW >