Sam Burgess arrives in Bath and says Michael Cheika is the right man for the Wallabies

SAM Burgess arrives at English rugby club Bath and gives says Michael Cheika is the “right man” to coach the Wallabies.

Sam Burgess - Bath Rugby Press Conference

SAM Burgess doesn’t know a lot about rugby union, but when it comes to new Wallaby coach Michael Cheika, he knows what he likes.

Burgess, who has gone straight from a NRL grand final win with South Sydney to a three year deal with English rugby side Bath, was full of praise for the man whose World Cup dreams he hopes to help scupper next year.

Fronting a packed media conference at his new home ground, Burgess neatly sidestepped questions about his own chances of making England’s World Cup squad, but was fulsome in his praise for Cheika with whom he became close during his four years in Sydney.

Bath rugby's new signing Sam Burgess poses in front of Pulteney Bridge in Bath.

“Mike Cheika is a great guy first and foremost,” he said. “I knew his brother Paul in Sydney. Once I’d made my decision to come over, sometimes to take my mind off the NRL I’d go and meet with Mike and he’d give me some little tips. I think he’s a fantastic bloke most importantly and he was always very generous with his time.

“I think he’s a wonderful coach. What he’s done with the Waratahs has totally changed their attitude, turned their performances around and made them champions this year.

“He’s going to do a great job for Australia. He’s the man for the job. He’s the man who can turn them around.

Sam Burgess says coach Michael Cheika is the man for the Wallabies job. Picture: Mike Hewitt

“For England rugby it’s probably not the greatest news but I’m really happy for him. He’s very driven and he’s got the right mindset for the game.

“I left him a voicemail congratulating him when he got the job. He’s a phenomenal bloke. He’s got a good attitude to things. He’ll do a cracking job.”

While the Australian media were interested in Burgess’s opinion of Cheika, the local press were much more keen on ascertaining England coach Stuart Lancaster’s opinion of Burgess.

The rugby league backrower and possible rugby union centre was giving away nothing, although he did bring a roar of laughter when he inadvertently slipped into Aussie-English, saying the England coach had rung him a couple of times “but only to say g’day … I mean, hello”.

Sam Burgess, looks out over the River Avon in Bath. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

As for his chances of making the squad, he said: “I’m not saying I believe I’m going to make the England squad, I’ve got belief I’m going to make a good go of this. I’m going to give it my all to make the Bath squad.

“If all goes well I think things will take care of themselves.”

But before he can even take the field he has to overcome the effects of the broken cheek suffered in the opening moments of the NRL grand final win over the Bulldogs.

Sam Burgess meets some young supporters at the Recreation Ground in Bath.

When that will be is the biggest question in English rugby.

“My surgeon said to just be smart, so I’ll take my time and work very closely with the medical staff here,” he said. “It’s probably a bit of a blessing as well. It gives me a chance to watch the game from a ground level and learn as I go before I jump in at the deep end.

“There’s no time span on it at all. If I’m confident in the next few weeks at training, we’ll look at it and make the correct decision.”