Flip-flop: Sam Burgess set to switch codes again in big-money move back to Australia
Englishman left the NRL last year to return to rugby union outfit Bath in English Premiership
England dual international Sam Burgess is set to be lured back to Australia’s National Rugby League with the richest deal in the game’s 108-year history, reports said on Monday.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Burgess’ contract with an NRL club would be worth A$1.5 million (HK$8.3 million) a season, placing him above the highest NRL earners, Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith, South Sydney star Greg Inglis and Dally M Medallist Johnathan Thurston.
We decided to give him time off there and then, which means that he’s gone away to get refreshed and will be back in training on November 2
On top of his base salary, Burgess’ deal would be topped up by registered, but uncapped, third-party agreements, the newspaper said.
With last right of refusal, his former NRL club South Sydney are firm favourites to sign Burgess, although he is likely to receive interest from other NRL clubs.
Bath still say they expect Burgess to remain in rugby, despite his modest World Cup campaign and reported unhappiness in the 15-man code.