NRL chief executive Dave Smith wants Sam Burgess back in rugby league and is set to exercise discretionary power to prise the Souths grand-final hero away from English rugby.

Smith's stance comes as Souths coach Michael Maguire revealed he is prepared to fly to the UK to convince Burgess of a second incarnation at the Rabbitohs in 2016.

80 PHOTOS IN 80 MINUTES media_camera Bob McCarthy rings the bell before the 2014 NRL Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous 1 of 80 media_camera Souths team lines up for the national anthem before the 2014 NRL Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous 2 of 80 media_camera Bulldogs during the National Anthem before NRL Grand Final between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Picture: Mark Evans 3 of 80 media_camera Bulldog’s Tim Lafai kicks off the 2014 NRL Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous 4 of 80 nav_small_close Want to see more?( 76 more photos in collection )Continue to full gallery nav_small_left nav_small_right

In May, the NRL announced a raft of changes to the salary cap, chiefly the capacity for Smith to compete with rival codes by using the code's resources to recruit or retain players.

Smith's assistance can only be made in “exceptional circumstances”.

Souths could easily argue Burgess falls into that category after his grand final heroics illustrated the significance of his loss to a rival rugby code that will leverage his star power.

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Smith has yet to invoke his high-level recruitment clout for any player, but says he will consider a historic move to bankroll Burgess' return after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

“I would always have him back, he's a great man and a great player,” Smith told The Courier-Mail.

media_camera Dave Smith says Sam Burgess is the kind of player worth breaking the bank for. Pic: Phil Hillyard

“Sam is chasing his dreams (in rugby) and that's fair enough, I don't have a problem with that, but I've said to Sam, he's always welcome back in this game.

“I've got exceptional power, which I can use if I think it's for the greater good of the game.

“If there is any player that meets that criteria I would absolutely use it and there's no doubt for me that Sam Burgess is a phenomenon.”

Smith noted Burgess' promotional importance to the code after the NRL celebrated a viewing audience of 3.9 million — the highest-rating grand final in the code's history.

“The grand final was the culmination of an amazing game of football and Sam produced the man-of-the-match performance,” he said.

“His bravery astounded me, there were a lot of brave players out there. James Graham (Bulldogs prop) was unbelievable, but Sam is a special player.

“He's a terrific bloke and a great athlete so I'd love to see him back.

“I wish him well but I have my fingers crossed he'll play in the NRL again.”

His only NRL coach, Maguire, is already hatching plans to re-sign Burgess and is adamant the British Test star will wear red-and-green again.

“That's a million dollar question but to see Sam enjoy what he did and produce one hell of an inspirational performance, he'll be back,” he said.

“If I have to, I'll fly over in a few years and bring him back.”

Souths boss Shane Richardson, however, is less bullish than Maguire.

“My greatest fear is that Sam will be an absolute champion in rugby and we'll never see him again because quite simply, he will destroy them in union,” he said.

“In rugby, he'll be well paid, he'll get enormous recognition because the sport is so much bigger (in England) and he's a guy for the big stage who will relish the World Cup.

“While I would like to think he will come back, I know he will be a success in union and for that reason, sadly, it will be hard for him to ever come back.”