Sam Burgess' move to South Sydney Rabbitohs stalled by NRL
Friday 27 November 2015 12:09, UK
Sam Burgess' move back to the South Sydney Rabbitohs has stalled because it will take the club over the NRL's salary cap.
On Thursday night the NRL blocked Burgess' lucrative deal after finding the Rabbitohs were over the player payment limit for 2016.
Burgess signed a three-year deal to return to rugby league from Bath earlier this month but the Rabbitohs have been informed they must release players before the deal can be registered.
South Sydney have yet to comment on the situation.
Burgess, who only joined Bath in 2014, was a member of the England squad which failed to qualify from the pool stage of the Rugby World Cup.
He was controversially picked at centre for England's defeat to Wales but then dropped for the 33-13 defeat to Australia which confirmed their elimination.
Announcing his move earlier this month, Burgess said: "I want to thank everyone at England Rugby and Bath for some great memories over the last 12 months.
"I must also thank Bath especially for granting my release to return home to my family who I have missed more than I could have imagined.
"I am also extremely excited to be joining back up with South Sydney. I cannot wait to get back into the Rabbitohs culture, full of great people and passionate members and supporters."
Burgess, who left England for Australia in 2010 after four successful Super League seasons with Bradford Bulls, was a key performer for the Rabbitohs when they were crowned NRL champions in 2014.
The Rabbitohs' first game of the NRL season is on March 6 against Sydney Roosters, whose assistant coach is England rugby league boss Steve McNamara.
