Sam Burgess would be welcomed back in NRL, says Kiwi Issac Luke
Sunday 1 November 2015 11:07, UK
New Zealand co-captain Issac Luke says Sam Burgess would be warmly greeted if he cuts short his stay in rugby union and returns to South Sydney.
Dual-code international Burgess is due to report back to Bath on Monday after being given time off to consider his future following England's disappointing World Cup campaign.
Reports suggest he has played his last match in the 15-man code.
As negotiations continue to pave the way for the former Bradford forward to return to the NRL, Luke says the door remains firmly open at the Rabbitohs.
"He'll be welcomed back," said Luke, who left Souths at the end of the 2015 season to join New Zealand Warriors.
"He bleeds red and green, like I do as well. He's a loved man at South Sydney. I haven't heard from him but I'm sure if he does get the chance to go back he'll be turning a lot of heads."
Luke was speaking after New Zealand's final team run at Hull's KC Stadium, where the Kiwis play England in the first Test on Sunday.
Channel Nine's rugby league reporter Danny Weidler said last week that Burgess could be tempted to join Leeds Rhinos but added the Rabbitohs were Burgess' preferred destination because he would re-join his brothers Tom and George who have agreed contract extensions with the NRL team.
Bath coach Mike Ford has expressed confidence that Burgess would stay at the Rec and prove his worth as a flanker, where he was employed by the club last season.
Burgess was controversially picked at centre for England's defeat by Wales but was then dropped for the 33-13 defeat by Australia which confirmed their elimination.
Although the 26-year-old still has two years remaining on his deal with his English Premiership club, the Australian broadcaster believes the Rabbitohs are in "top-level negotiations" to re-sign Burgess.
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.
