He wont touch Salford with a bargepole. Regardless of what his wages are, Salford seem to make a habit of not actually paying them. If its in the SL it will be us or possible Warrington but I think he'd like the stabilty of the treble winners. In relaity I can only see him back in the NRL with souths. They are going to have to do some offloading to get him in the cap but I bet theyll move heaven and earth to get him back.

You could be right but might have to wait until next year what with contracts already signed.
Some sort of deal between Crowe and Caddick and possibly the RFL might tip the balance in us getting him on a sort of year long loan.
If only.

We're Leeds Rhinos, not Wakefield. We don't need to take players on loan. I don't care who they are.

He either signs for 2 years minimum or not at all IMO and even then I'm not sure the media circus would be worth it.

I have remained silent up to now......but I tend to agree with this. I am old enough to remember the bad old days of signing the 'big name' !!!!

It depends on the mindset he came with. If he is the professional I believe he is, he will come wanting to fit into the team and remind SL what he is capable of and whether its one year or 2 we should do very well on and off the field with him on board. If his mind set was that of taking a brief holiday in SL before resuming with Souths, then that would be detrimental to Leeds. But I can't see that being the case.

Yes on the flip side,if there is a salary cap juggle at South's would there be somebody from South's who could do a job for Leeds?

I thought RL mole said he wouldn't be joining souths?

If you combine what RL mole said with the release confirming he's considering RL, we are the only other RL club mentioned.

So he's considering an offer from us.

Ri-right? Guys?

Things seem to be falling into place for him to go back to Souths: www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7586056940

Things seem to be falling into place for him to go back to Souths: www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7586056940

Quote ="craigizzard"Things seem to be falling into place for him to go back to Souths: www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7586056940'" That's only about a transfer fee nothing to do with paying the player, so the same as the cap over here. Souths are struggling to get him under the cap for next year according to my Sydney contacts.

Quote ="craigizzard"Things seem to be falling into place for him to go back to Souths: www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7586056940'" That's only about a transfer fee nothing to do with paying the player, so the same as the cap over here. Souths are struggling to get him under the cap for next year according to my Sydney contacts.

....I can

Shaun Lunt. Didn't he help us win a grand final?

the mole 100% that he aint going to south sydney cant see many other nrl clubs affording him as transfer would count against there cap. its either stopping with bath or super league are his only 2 options

If he came back to RL and was put straight into the England team that would be worth some dough. I don't buy into the idea that big signings generate thousands every week - its never been true. But if he came right now and ran out for England vs NZ, he almost certainly would add to the attendances at the tests. It would also send a very strong message to other RL players about how attractive RU actually is.

I still think he's most likely to stay in RU, but in terms of legacy think he'd be far better off coming back to RL. I just do not see him ever being more than an OK RU forward.

BTW as an aside, if he does want to come back I have no problem with the marquee signing rule or RFL support being used. That's what its there for. I don't particularly care whether its Leeds or someone else.

It looks like he will go back to Souths now but TBH, from an England perspective, it's just great to get him back in our game.

Mole 100% saying he's not going to Souths.

IF he did sign for Leeds and his first game was v North Queensland Cowboys, the thought of that is bloody exciting.
Headingley would be nowhere big enough for that game.

Not any more. Mole's a chancer anyway, he gets as much wrong as right.

He's going back to Souths eventually. It's just a case of whether it's 2016 or 2017.

If you were being cynical, and wanted to maximise the impact of his return to Souths I'd suggest one more year away might be the best thing. In a sense he's barely been gone, with plenty of airtime in Oz about him playing for England.

Are name seems to be mentioned less and less as more reports are coming in. I still have a little bit of hope though, but it looks like Sydney return.

the mole is got it wrong according to what im reading returning to souths ,bath except fee

Well we should know Sam's decision by early next week as he is due back to work at Bath on Monday having had two weeks off to think over his future.

Word has it that two weeks ago he was all set for a return to League with South's as favorites and they cleared the way with a ruling from the NRL that any transfer fee would not count in the cap. Also with family in Sydney and brothers just extending contracts with South's this would be a big pull.

Similar discussions seem to have been going on with SL with Leeds and perhaps Warrington making offers which may or may not be part of an eventual return down under.

However Bath too have confirmed long term confidence in Sam and so a three way tug of war has been played out. I guess much will depend on how Sam and the future Mrs B have enjoyed the UK lifestyle or missed the Ozzie one as of course will be Sam's enthusiasm for one or other codes of rugby.

He may have got over the media slagging during his break if not he may just be going back to Bath on Monday to say good bye.

Mike Ford seemed pretty confident that Burgess will return to Bath on Monday and see out his contract. Much will depend on whether SSR can fit him in under the cap. Not a chance of him returning to SL.

Mike Fords view that Burgess will see out his contract with Bath and will be back in training from Monday just reported on BBC1 Sports news.