IN his new column, Bulls legend and chief executive Robbie Hunter-Paul discusses the game's burning issues...

 

THERE has been a lot of talk about Sam Burgess’ future in the last few days and a possible return to South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Sam is a hot property but I think other clubs, including some in England, would be interested too.

I know Leeds Rhinos have been mentioned as potential suitors.

But the twins recently signed new deals at Souths, and Sam going back there would be the icing on the cake and give them the best forward pack in the NRL. It is a natural fit.

In terms of Sam’s involvement with England at the World Cup, I found it abhorrent how he has been treated by the rugby union media.

The reality is that England simply weren’t good enough.

Sam has been made an easy scapegoat, as has Andy Farrell as an assistant coach who supposedly had too much influence.

But Stuart Lancaster is way too smart to allow that to happen.

When England played Wales in the World Cup, they were dominant force for 60 minutes with Sam on the field.

Sometimes it’s harder to actually say, were we good enough? And the reality is that England weren’t.

Bath have played him as a forward while England used him in the centres, which made it tough for him to nail down a set position.

I have not seen another athlete as good as Sam in both codes of rugby.

There are probably three other guys who can compare – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams.

I have not even mentioned any All Blacks there.

Sam is someone who performs with an attitude and mentality which almost exceeds his physical prowess.

I got offers myself as a player to switch codes and play rugby union like my brother Henry did. I played briefly for Harlequins RU and I do like the sport.

But my workload as a half-back in rugby league was so high, whereas in union I played centre and the workload was determined by how successful your forwards were.

I think I would have enjoyed what Henry did by playing on the Sevens circuit, which is full of open, running rugby.

I enjoyed my time at Harlequins and played with Gary Connolly and Will Carling, but I remember a game against Munster in Ireland in sleet and snow.

I made one hit-up and one tackle in 80 minutes, so that was the nail in the coffin for me.

It wasn’t always about money because I was getting well paid anyway in league – it’s about what I call food for my soul.

That’s why a cross-code switch wasn’t really for me.

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ENGLAND opened their campaign against New Zealand yesterday and the onus is on Steve McNamara’s men to record a series win.

With the Four Nations next year and the World Cup the following season, if England are not successful this autumn then the pressure would be on the RFL to see whether Steve Mac is the right man heading into the World Cup.

There is speculation about whether he is successful this season could determine if he continues in the job.

So far they have kept faith with him and he has been building this squad over the last few years.

After last year’s Four Nations, a young England squad started to come to fruition, so they need to be successful now.

New Zealand haven’t come here with their traditional half-backs of Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran.

That’s why England went into their series as favourites.

Being away from home isn’t the easiest thing to do as a young guy on tour – and there are a lot of young players in their New Zealand squad.

They can get homesick and they know that they will be going back to pre-season when they return – and it’s not like they have had a break, either.

It can affect you psychologically and take it from someone who has been on these kind of tours.

It was alright for me because I was based here in England as a Bulls player.

But New Zealand have brilliant strike all over the park as they have shown for their clubs in the NRL – it’s going to be a great series.

On another note, it’s great to see John Bateman's rise to prominence with England.

He’s absolutely fearless and a typical Bradford lad!

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LAST Thursday, several Bulls players and I took part in a wheelchair push from Bradford to Hull to raise money for people with spinal injuries.

Sammi Petersen, the sister of former Bulls player Dave Petersen, was left paralysed after a car crash earlier this year.

But she has already defied doctors by being able to leave hospital months early than they expected.

She has now set up a charity with Dave and a big group of our boys did the 10-15k from the Provident Stadium to Dewsbury as part of the five-day, 86-mile charity challenge.

It was a really tough task and I was still feeling it on Friday and Saturday.

It was fantastic to see the rugby league community come together for this great cause, so please support Sammi by logging on to www.sammisfund.co.uk.

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BULLS fans have been snapping up season tickets and the number is now racing towards the 1,000 mark.

It’s important that supporters know that the renewal date for Provident Stand seats is November 14.

Also this year, with the basic membership and the flexi membership, there is something for everyone.

The new away jersey has got the fans talking and is already proving extremely popular.