But even if he doesn't return, Burgess - like Sattler - will be forever linked to the Rabbitohs because of the deeds that saw him become the first non-Australian to win the Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match in the grand final.

And regardless of whether he succeeds in making the England team for next year's Rugby World Cup, Burgess is now universally lauded as the man who defied the pain of a fractured cheekbone to lead Souths to their first premiership triumph in 43 years.

Already, the bravery of the 25-year-old and his role in the great Rabbitohs revival story is being told to audiences in Britain who would usually have little interest in the NRL as his code switch has ensured coverage in the broadsheets that give far greater prominence and column inches to rugby union than league.

"The printed media in England sadly doesn't give rugby league as much exposure as what you get down under but I can assure you that the grand final certainly got the broadsheets excited," Sky-TV commentator and former Great Britain hooker Mike Stephenson said.

"They know Sam is going to be transferred over to rugby union so they are excited and if all the union fans would have witnessed that game, which I am sure they did, they would recognise in the union ranks that surely Sam Burgess will be quickly orientated into the skill factor of rugby union, and who knows he may be part of the England squad for the World Cup in rugby union. It was wonderful to hear an English voice when he picked up the medal for the man of the match and he spoke to the crowd. It was a wonderful moment for him, he is a wonderfully talented player."