Blues coach Brad Fittler believes fans haven't seen the last of Sam Burgess after the 30-year-old was forced to medically retire from the game due to a debilitating shoulder injury.
Burgess announced his retirement on Wednesday, with the international star still having three years remaining on his Rabbitohs contract.
If the NRL is to grant South Sydney's salary cap dispensation request, Burgess will likely be ruled out of any future involvement of playing in Australia ever again.
League legend Fittler believes that Burgess will likely return to the playing field some time in the future.
"I’m not convinced he is finished forever ... has he said he has retired forever?” Fittler said on his Freddy and the Eighth podcast.
“I know he’s said he’s retired but next year might just be a year where he goes away (and sorts it out).
“It might have a lot to do with the insurance side of things, a bit of strategy around South Sydney being able to have his cap value put back on their limit.
“I just feel like I haven’t seen the end of Sam. I would love him to have the year off, get everything sorted and go and get fixed.
“He seems too young, and has too much to offer.
“Even with a sore shoulder the way he was playing at the back end of the year says that there is more footy in him.”
While Burgess will likely be ruled out of playing in Australia, he could potentially pull on a shirt for an overseas side.