Sam Burgess: Warrington and ex-England forward gets into NRL Hall of Fame

The list of British players to have had an impact in Australia is a long and illustrious one, which adds to the prestige for Burgess.

Mal Reilly and Cliff Watson were immense during the rough-and-tumble 1970s. Stars such as Ellery Hanley, Kevin Ward and Shaun Edwards took their talents down under during the 1980s.

Adrian Morley – another bruising forward – reminded the Australians of British firepower when he went to the Roosters in 2001 and the stream has been constant.

Currently, there are talents such as Elliot Whitehead, Dom Young and Herbie Farnworth impressing at NRL level and Matty Nicholson will head down from Burgess’ Warrington in 2025.

“Watching the Olympics recently, you listen to the Team GB athletes and they’re inspired by the previous athletes, who in turn were inspired by those before them, and it’s the same in our sport,” Burgess said.

“I was inspired by Adrian Morley, I was inspired by Andy Farrell who never went over to the NRL, but Moz paved the way. Gareth Ellis went the year before I went, and he was a great inspiration. They were an inspiration no doubt.

“James Graham followed me, my brothers [Luke, Tom and George] did, John Bateman followed, Elliot Whitehead, George Williams. No doubt these players saw the players who went before them.

“I loved how respected Moz was in Australia, he still is. I’ve had a beer with him in Coogee a few times, and he still gets hounded over there, they love him.

“To leave your mark on the game in Australia is a proud moment.”

Burgess has certainly done that as one of the all-time great British rugby league exports.