Sam Burgess....

[Fumper27]

...forced to retire with immediate effect

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dail ... areer.html

[Flat Capper]

I'm not sure we'll feel the effects over here but it is a sad day for him personally. I can only assume the medical implications were very significant and whilst it highlights the risks associated with playing the game, I have a great deal of sympathy for him as a human being.

[heritage1926]

Read somewhere that he only had 30/40% bone left in his shoulder from all the ops and clean outs.

[mart0042]

A player that gave his all without any thought of his own safety. Gonna be a big loss to the game. What a career, if he had been a footballer he'd have been knighted by now.

[tigerfeat]

See him play 79 minutes with a broken cheek in 2014 grand final and still get man of match one of most heroic things ive seen in recent years on a rugby field

[alftupper]

He should have stuck it out at rugby, playing at centre his body probably wouldn’t have given up on him and who knows he may have been looking forward to a World Cup final this weekend with a far bigger public profile

[flood light tiger]

End of the day he as to look after his well being he's been the stand out player for years and what ever happens in the future I wish him well :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Fumper27]

He should have stuck it out at rugby, playing at centre his body probably wouldn’t have given up on him and who knows he may have been looking forward to a World Cup final this weekend with a far bigger public profile

Given that he is now based in Australia I think his profile is big enough

[Tamworth Tiger]

He should have stuck it out at rugby, playing at centre his body probably wouldn’t have given up on him and who knows he may have been looking forward to a World Cup final this weekend with a far bigger public profile

Given that he is now based in Australia I think his profile is big enough

Absolutely right. Union just saw him as a scapegoat for team underperformance.

[lurcher]

probably the best forward of his generation bar possibly sonny bill but he's spent a lot of it in yawnion.

[mart0042]

See him play 79 minutes with a broken cheek in 2014 grand final and still get man of match one of most heroic things ive seen in recent years on a rugby field

An incredible feat, it was amazing.

[tigerfeat]

Brad Fittler reckons he will come out of retirement in 2021 probs in super league...

[mart0042]

Would be great but won't be Cas. Not many clubs can afford him. Toronto maybe?

[mdean]

I think it kind of depends what happens in the interim period and what his career looks like.

Echo much of what has been said, quite a career scaled the heights. The Union part was poorly handled and managed all round, but doesn't tarnish a superstar.
Like all the true greats, drop him in any era at any time in any team and he would still be head and shoulders.

*I slightly differ on the heroism of the broken cheekbone sentiment. Perhaps, had he not pushed his body on so much when obviously busted he would have lasted beyond 30? That is a juxtaposition for conversation, not my own view necessarily.

[cogito ergo sum]

I think it kind of depends what happens in the interim period and what his career looks like.

Echo much of what has been said, quite a career scaled the heights. The Union part was poorly handled and managed all round, but doesn't tarnish a superstar.
Like all the true greats, drop him in any era at any time in any team and he would still be head and shoulders.

*I slightly differ on the heroism of the broken cheekbone sentiment. Perhaps, had he not pushed his body on so much when obviously busted he would have lasted beyond 30? That is a juxtaposition for conversation, not my own view necessarily.

I recall an Airedale lad, Brian Wrigglesworth, playing most of a Wembley final for Fev with a broken neck. Was it v Barrow in 1966/67?

[Tamworth Tiger]

Brad Fittler reckons he will come out of retirement in 2021 probs in super league...

Sale are always interested in RL pensioners!

[duke street 10]

Sam was known for his thunderous Shoulder charges when they were legal. Wonder if his robust style has caused early wear & tear (plus the infection) forcing a sad early retirement.

Sounds like he is having problems on a domestic level too, split up from the wife and court case pending with the father-in-law as well.

[tigerfeat]

The one on fui fui moi moi springs to mind ...ouch

[mart0042]

For all the union was bad for him, he had played for his country and got paid a shed load.