Former South Sydney forward Sam Burgess has rejected comeback offers from two NRL clubs.
The Daily Telegraph believe that one of the clubs to make an approach was the struggling Wests Tigers, but Burgess’ advisor Braith Anasta refused to reveal the clubs involved, only confirming that South Sydney hadn’t made a bid themselves.
“The offers were genuine, and Sam gave it some serious thought,” Anasta said.
“They rang me, and they were keen.
“It was definitely a consideration but it’s not going to happen. The career’s over.”
Burgess had been in a training camp for his upcoming appearance on Channel Seven’s SAS Australia when the offers were made.
“When he got fit again the juices started flowing,” Anasta added.
“Playing rugby league was Sam’s life. He loved it and he misses it.
“To all of a sudden have to retire, it was hard.”
Burgess medically retired in 2019 due to a shoulder injury that was believed irreparable and as a result South Sydney received salary cap relief.
If he was to make a shock return, he’d need to convince the NRL that he had somehow recovered from the career-ending injury.
With his playing career all but over, Anasta confirmed that Burgess is instead hoping to move into coaching.
“Sam at some stage would love to get into coaching,” Anasta told The Daily Telegraph.
“He’s worked alongside Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs last year. He was in the COVID bubble.”
Burgess’ life post-rugby has also made headlines after he was recently acquitted on appeal for intimidating his former father in-law in 2019.
The 32-year-old played 182 games for South Sydney and famously won the 2014 Clive Churchill medal.
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