Souths coach Michael Maguire says Sam Burgess will not be an outcast at the Rabbitohs

RABBITOHS coach Michael Maguire says code-hopping star Sam Burgess won’t be treated as an outcast in his final year in the NRL.

RABBITOHS coach Michael Maguire has vowed code-hopping superstar Sam Burgess won’t be treated as an outcast in his final year in the NRL.

Despite some angry backlash yesterday from fans following Burgess’ decision to walk out on the final two years of his contract at Souths so he can play for England at next year’s Rugby World Cup, Maguire declared the star forward still had the backing of everyone at the club.

The 25-year-old is expected to be named today in Souths team to take on St George Illawarra in Saturday night’s Charity Shield in Wollongong.

Asked if Burgess should be cut loose now so he would not stand in the way of a young player who could be a part of Souths’ next generation, Maguire responded:

“No he is not. He has been at this club and given a hell of a lot to this club and he has given a hell of a lot to all the members as well and myself, the staff and everyone.

News_Image_File: Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire says Sam Burgess will not be an outcast after the forward made a decision to leave the NRL to play rugby union.

“So we are looking forward to really enjoying this 12 months ahead of us.”

English Rugby giants Bath will reportedly pay the Rabbitohs $500,000 in compensation and Burgess’ defection will open the door for Souths to hunt off-contract giant Andrew Fifita while banished star Blake Ferguson could be a wildcard target if and when he is allowed back in the NRL.

Burgess finally ended weeks of speculation yesterday when he announced that he would quit Souths in 2015 to return home and take up a three-year deal with Bath.

Burgess’ admitted the lure of becoming a dual international and playing in a Rugby World Cup on home soil was an opportunity he couldn’t ignore, while playing Sevens at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro was also a major selling point.

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While many NRL fans expressed outrage at his decision, Burgess urged them to judge him on his performances this year.

“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,” Burgess said.

“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.

News_Image_File: England's Sam Burgess scoring a try during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand.

“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.”

Maguire also described reports that Burgess had lost the support of his Rabbitohs’ teammates as “completely untrue” and the coach also denied he has had a personal fallout with the star forward.

Asked if Burgess’ decision would be held against him this year, Maguire added: “Not at all. Sammy is a great bloke and we really enjoy working with him. It is obviously a decision he has really had a desire to do and we are lucky enough to have him for another 12 months.”

News_Image_File: Tom and George Burgess at Souths training at Redfern Oval amid speculation that brother Sam has signed with an English Rugby Union side.

Burgess vowed: “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.

“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 me, 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.

“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.

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

Rabbitohs legend Mario Fenech admitted he would disappointed to see Burgess leave but understood the 25-year-old’s motives.

“You can’t blame Sam. I don’t blame him,” Fenech said.

“At the end of the day I am disappointed to see him go because he is a big part of our team.

“But I played for Bradford and I have seen first-hand what a big deal rugby union is over there.

“You can understand the attraction for Sam being an Englishman and I really do believe he will be determined to finish on a good note here and that could be a good thing for us.

“We all get presented opportunities in our life and I don’t judge people for taking opportunities. What is most important is that in 2014 he will be a part of our team and I don’t doubt he will give his absolute best for the club. Sam is doing his best for himself. I don’t blame him for that.”