With RWC 2003 winner Jason Robinson amongst his mentors, cross-coder Sam Burgess is confident he can mix it with the best in Rugby Union – whether that’s at centre or in the back row.
“I think everyone’s always got an opinion. That’s not a problem at all. For me, when I play in different positions it doesn’t really change my attitude or probably the way I approach to the game,” he told World Rugby TV.
“I think people ready into it a lot more than they should, and I like to try and keep it as simple as possible by just knowing the core skills that I need to do and what my core job is and to go out and try and do it as best as I can for my team-mates and the coaching staff.”
The best of Burgess since his change of codes last autumn has been seen in the Bath back row, having switched there from centre in early April.
The 26-year-old helped Bath reach the English Premiership play-off final with a series of strong performances towards the end of the season, but is viewed by England as a physical midfield option potentially capable of replacing the out-of-favour Manu Tuilagi.
“So, England play different to Bath, whereas my home club Bath play different to Saracens and Saracens play different to Northampton … everyone has their own style of play. Not everyone’s 12 and 13 and six and seven necessarily do the same job. Really it’s just finding a balance, where it fits best into the team and you can be most efficient,” he said.
Most Rugby League converts traditionally play in the back line as their skill set is more easily transferable there, and the intracies of forward play in Rugby Union take time to adjust to.
Like Burgess, England backs coach Andy Farrell has experienced both, starting as a flanker at Saracens before switching to centre where he gained all eight of his England caps including an appearance at RWC 2007.
SELF-DRIVEN
Yorkshireman Burgess hopes to play a big part in the 2015 edition of the game’s global showpiece and says having Farrell by his side is proving invaluable as he gets to grips with what is essentially a very different game.
Lots of talk about Sam Burgess at the moment. He’s expected to start alongside Cipriani and Slade in #RWC2015 warm-up vs. France. Big test.
— James Tennant (@_jameslt) July 29, 2015
“I was always really self-driven in terms of wanting to play Rugby Union,” he said. “I’ve certainly watched other people who’ve done it with interest. I’ve seen their transitions, I’ve watched where they’ve done things right and wrong, and seeing how I can maybe adapt to it.
“But I think there’s nothing like actually going and doing it yourself, feeling it yourself. I think everyone can sit and judge from behind a TV but going and doing it is a whole different thing.
“There’s been some challenges, there’s been some great times and not so great times. But I’m very fortunate at the moment to have Andy Farrell who’s been and done it, and probably felt similar things to myself, working with me at England at the moment.
“And then my head coach at Bath is Mike Ford, an ex-Rugby League player, and Kyle Eastmond who I’ve played with from 13/14 years old as juniors. So these guys have all been around and felt what I’ve been feeling.
“Jason Robinson, probably the most successful convert, is always on the end of the phone if I need to speak to him about anything which is a real help. It’s nice to have the support and overall it’s been an amazing ride so far.”
