Philiproser
Academy Player
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- Jan 19, 2014
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Who else is buzzing to see Sam Burgess in Rugby Union http://www.theextralap.co.uk/rugby-league-rugby-union-big-sam-impact/
I think he can be a success but with only one year to go until RWC2015, is he leaving it too late to make an impact?
His tackling does need to be refined that's for sure. Being brought up in League his skill set is far greater than most in Union so i expect him to slot in rather easily. He won't get the ball anywhere near as much so his concentration will have to be greater.
England have been weak at centre since Greenwood/Tindall and are crying out for a match winner in that position. Farrell at fly half is a pretty good goal kicker but a creator he is not, therefore more is required of the centres to do something. Twelvetrees falls way short.
I'm finding myself disagree with everything you say.
Tell me what you think Sam Burgess's diverse skill-set is. He'd likely be one of the least skilled centres in the English game. He runs hard at things and tackles hard. He's a prop forward in league so he rarely passes before contact and he never kicks...
His tackling does need to be refined that's for sure. Being brought up in League his skill set is far greater than most in Union so i expect him to slot in rather easily. He won't get the ball anywhere near as much so his concentration will have to be greater.
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George North didn't make his club debut until September 2010 (Wales debut two months later). Granted, North was already playing rugby, but Sam is an experienced athlete so I wouldn't wholly rule him out. Unless he is complete kak, that is.Mental!
Think that should officially rule him out of the World Cup though - if Rabbitohs get to/near the final that's a, what, early/mid October end of season?
Move to Bath, bit of time to get the body right, he'll be learning his trade by early November.
7-8 months of playing isn't enough time to prove yourself, imo. Especially as they'd have to trial him a few places to see where he fits in (presumably in their 'A' side - might not play first team until gone Christmas).
George North didn't make his club debut until September 2010 (Wales debut two months later). Granted, North was already playing rugby, but Sam is an experienced athlete so I wouldn't wholly rule him out. Unless he is complete kak, that is.
Tuilagi was fast tracked into the 2011 side as well - I think the main factors with Burgess are:
a) He's not played union before (or if he has, not to anywhere near pro standard)
b) We've no idea where he'll play/where he's best suited. People say 12/13, but he might be terrible there and excel in the backrow etc.etc.
It's a big ask considering we've already got 36 as our starting 12, Barritt as our ousted 12 who Lancaster/Farrell love, and Eastmond in the EPS really pushing for a spot, Burrell shifted out to 13 and Tuilagi to come back from injury (and Tomkins, who is s**t, but Lancaster likes).
Where else would they play him though? No.8 is certainly a possibility, but England are already pretty sorted there between Vunipola and Morgan. No 6 is a possibility, but has he got the time to properly learn the breakdown and all the grunt work that the flankers have to do there? Plus could throw out the balance that England need to find in the backrow imo.