South Sydney skipper Sam Burgess has officially retired due to ongoing shoulder injuries.
The Englishman played 270 first-grade games for the Rabbitohs and the Super League's Bradford Bulls, making his NRL debut in the 2010 season.
He played 182 matches for South Sydney and was a member of their 2014 premiership side, where he was named winner of the Clive Churchill Medal.
Additionally, Burgess played 23 Tests for England, two for Great Britain and represented England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, playing five Tests for the home nation.
Burgess penned an open letter to Rabbitohs fans and members via the club website, thanking them and explaining his decision.
โTo all South Sydney Members and fans, fans of the game and even the supporters that arenโt my biggest fans, Iโd like to thank each and every one of you for making my career what it was in the NRL,โ Burgess wrote.
โI have loved absolutely every minute; the highs, the lows; the Grand Final; coming home; my injuries; my dates with the judiciary. It really has been a fantastic ride.
โThis decision was one of the hardest decisions Iโve had to make in my life, however the decision was out of my hands essentially. I am no longer able to be myself day in, day out on the training field and consequently the playing field.
โIโd like to encourage everyone to smile as they read this. Letโs all remember what we have done together as a Club over the past decade rather than whatโs not to be in the coming years.
โWe have some amazing young men at the Club and itโs in safe hands. I will stay close and help grow the Club continually in any way I can.
โTo my team mates and coaches along the way, Iโd like to thank you all for being supportive and great men. Iโve learnt so much in my ten years here. From the young boys all the way through to โthe fossilโ John Sutton. I value each friendship created and theyโll last a lifetime.
โTo Russell - for making all this happen initially - Iโll be forever indebted to you. Your passion is infectious.
โTo the Board of Directors, and all of our wonderful men and women in the office making everything possible, thank you.
โMy family have been by my side the whole way, on and off the field. I love you all so much.
โMaybe Iโll come and watch a game in The Burrow next year. You truly are the heartbeat of the Club.
โIโm sure youโll agree with me, the spirit of South Sydney is alive and will live long after me. It will always be a huge part of my heart. Just like it is yours.
โLove always,
โSB 1073.โ
Existing injury just like Inglis.
If south’s are allowed to pay him out side the salary cap like they did with Inglis, it will show just how corrupt the NRL really is.
Any club other than South’s, Easts, Storm or Broncos would be forced to carry this in their cap.
Boo who Kev, cry me a river. What a sook of a person who has not watched a Grand Final since Parra got done by the creating Storm.
The bottom line is this Sam Burgess was a dirty rotting player who was always breaking the rules of the game with his infamous on field drama and visits to the judicary. Not to mentioned his Facebook antics. Just leave and donโt Brother ever coming back.
The gutter slurry continuing with their envy.
Welcome home Latrell.
Maybe not Kev. I remember a situation at the Sea Eagles a few years back when Brett Stewart, Steve Matai and Jamie Lyon all retired close together, and I think Stewart & Matai retired on medical grounds. I’m not sure about Lyons but a Manly supporter should know.
Big Sam has had a lot to do with The Rabbitohs becoming a force again in the NRL, but I think he’s let the team and himself down on occasions with some of the dumb things he’s done on the field and the subsequent suspensions. He now needs to get his personal life back on track and hope that his kids never see the footage of him carrying a bikini babe on his shoulders so soon after having an AVO taken out against him by their Grandfather.
I wish you well big Sam and I hope you can rebuild some of the bridges that have fallen down recently. It won’t be easy.
Meh
Another grub gone.
Bye grub!
You wont be missed.
the cat
So, ……… he seemed ok carrying chicks on arms the other day.
What a joke, 1st GI now this!
Yes, rumour is souffs are going to get kicked out for salary cap issues.
Sutton, GI and now Burgarese.
Something needs to be done about Souths blatantly cheating the salary, itโs good to see that other people are catching onto the south Sydney stain.
Souths Sydney stain fans better get used to finishing 13th again. Itโs going to be another long 40 years for them.
Well played Sam. Iโll certainly miss you.
Just my opinion, but Sam is the best Pommie Iโve seen in NRL, week-in week-out better than Reilly. And if anyone wants to bring up Burgessโ on field indiscretions, Reilly leaves him for dead on that score – Malcolm was very lucky he played in the era he did.
Good riddance you dirty thug, donโt let the door hit you on the way out
Typical grubs from other teams. He was a freak and one of the best. Thatโs fact. Hardest forward in The modern game.
I hear the sookpen is in meltdown with dancing in the streets knowing will no longer be subjected to the pain Sam inflicted on their team and some have said this is bigger than hanaka.
timtam
October 30, 2019 at 6:47 pm
“Good riddance you dirty thug, donโt let the door hit you on the way out”
Has Latrell already left?
Roosters_back2smack2crackinOxfordSt.
October 30, 2019 at 5:00 pm
“Something needs to be done about Souths blatantly cheating the salary cap”
Hilarious from a sombreros.
BTW what is the useless No Rep Radley doing anywhere near the Kangaroos camp knowing will never play for Australia whilst superstar Cam Murray is around?
Enjoy watching your stain finish 13th in 2020.
Thank goodness this copybook head high tackle professional rascal rubbish rabbit has been belted into retirement by those back2back Premiers. Glad to see his last game for Souths was another team effort choke in a preliminary final just like last season against the Sydney Champions of the World.
Because Souths local juniors are all hopeless crappp players. We will all get a look at who they will try to poach soon. Frizzel or any player for that matter would have to be crazy to even consider playing for those losers without a so called pack leader retired. One thing for certain, Latrell will not be seen in Cardinal pell red and snot green myrtle
any time soon. You souths fools keep dreaming on, it is never going to happen. Enjoy the crash and burn nose dive flight from now on. ๐คฃ
The Vermin will be lucky to make the 10 in 2020….
How many different profiles do you have now woody.
Serious you are world class dope.
Get out of your parents basement and seek psychiatric help before it’s to late and you become a total loser…………………………………….TO LATE!
Looks like Sams got another problem.
His lawyer has just been served a notice for Sam to appear in court on Dec 18.
The Police have charged him with Intimidation.(Domestic Violence Related)
Sam charged with intimidation.
Woody Doo.
What do you think he’ll get, 10 years non parole? ๐๐๐๐.
SAM BURGESS IS A PERFECT MAN…
What bloke complains to the cops to have another bloke charged with intimidation?
I’m guessing the cops were doing their best to keep a straight face when taking the statement.
This bloke has sombrero pansy supporter written all him.
Donโt you mean what sort of a man terrorises a old man and 2 young children?
Twentyone condones threats of violent behaviour towards grand fathers. Do you belt up woman also TwitOne? Burgess is showing his true colours off the field which is just like on the field, head highs, hair pulling elbows in a tackle and nut grabbing to name a few. Lets hope he gets a stint in the bighouse.
Thousands of tributes pouring in on Sam’s retirement are flooding the internet.
Confirms the greatness of this legend.
As most say “a once in a lifetime player”
Makes the total of 3 nobody knockers in the world look like an insignificant ant in the desert.
What’s with the salary cap whinging? If the bloke is done and can’t play ever again for anyone I don’t have a problem with his cost being removed from their cap. Same with GI & Matai.
SAM SAID HE WAS PROUD TO BE PLAYING FOR SOUTHS WHOM HAS WON THE MOST PREMIERSHIPS (21) “FOREVER IN OUR SHADOW ARE EASTS ON 15 PREMIERSHIPS”
Shadow – mate you need some new material. You’re boring us all to death. We get it, Souths has the most premierships. Well done. What was your opinion on Sam’s style of play? Do you rate him up there with Brad Clyde or Brad Mackay? Was he better than SBW? Give us something to read other than this sad rubbish. You must watch some footy and not just count premierships and member numbers.