Sam Burgess won’t struggle to find form says John Sutton

A TRIP back to England, opening a gym franchise in Bowral, holidaying in Queensland, attending an Ed Sheeran concert, and now his own wedding.

As Sam Burgess makes the most of a well-earned break after England’s failed Rugby World Cup campaign, South Sydney fans will be wondering how long it will take the big Englishman to rediscover his form in the NRL, especially off a shortened pre-season.

Burgess won’t be the first player to go from rugby league to union and back to league again.

Wendell Sailor, Brad Thorn, Mat Rogers, Sonny Bill Williams and Lote Tuqiri — who won the 2014 NRL premiership with Burgess — are just some of the stars who have successfully bounced between the codes.

The game has cleaned up the ruck since Burgess left for England and rugby. Next season will also feature a drop to eight interchanges, but that will only benefit an 80-minute forward like Burgess.

“You don’t really know. When Sonny came back, it didn’t take him too long,’’ Sutton said.

picture: lilac bridesmaid dresses uk“I think it was maybe a couple of games before he was back into it.

“Sam’s one of those players who can switch it on pretty quickly. It doesn’t take him long to get super fit, and I’m pretty sure he’ll be raring to go come round one.’’

When the Bunnies face the Roosters in round one, it will be exactly 518 days since Burgess last appeared in rugby league’s premier competition.

“He makes a big impact on the team, he leads by example on and off the field, but especially on the field with the way he runs and the way he tackles — he gives the boys a massive lift,’’ Sutton said.

“He’s just a great bloke to have around the club.’’

Burgess’ contract is yet to be rubber-stamped by the NRL and won’t be until Souths free up some space in their salary cap. The matter will be resolved should Chris McQueen link with the Gold Coast Titans as expected.

It was recently reported the Titans’ were only $20,000 short in signing McQueen. But The Daily Telegraph understands it’s Souths who need to find that amount if they want the Gold Coast to take him.

The Titans won’t budge on their McQueen offer, even in light of James Roberts’ sensational snub this week.

Sutton said the shuffling of the cap was ‘’not an ideal situation’’, but the players had gone about their business in a positive manner, including McQueen.

read more: young bridesmaid dresses uk