Sinfield: Burgess can take mantle

Kevin Sinfield believes Sam Burgess, pictured, has a 'real good chance' of leading England in the future
23 November 2013

Kevin Sinfield has identified Sam Burgess as his likely successor when he decides to stand down as England captain.

Sinfield took over from his Leeds team-mate Jamie Peacock in the summer of 2012 but, at the age of 33, knows his days in the role are numbered.

Despite playing his club rugby in Australia with South Sydney, the 24-year-old Burgess is viewed as a logical successor and Sinfield admits he would be an obvious choice to skipper his country.

"At some stage I think he will lead England," Sinfield said.

"He is an ideal candidate for it but I think there are a number of other candidates as well.

"Sean (O'Loughlin) is a great leader at Wigan, Sam (Tomkins) shows the same qualities. James Graham has done it in the past.

"But yes Sam Burgess has a real good chance of doing it."

Burgess has been an automatic choice for his country, when fit and available, since bursting onto the international scene as an 18-year-old with Bradford, and has been tipped by Souths chief executive Shane Richardson to become the best forward ever to play the game.

Sinfield believes that could be a fair call.

"It's tough - I am only 33 and I don't know what went before me," he said. "It's a big call but I would not argue with it.

"He is an athlete and has got everything. And he is also a great lad. He has a cracking personality and I am sure at some stage he will lead this group. So, I wouldn't argue with that."

Burgess, a huge hit with the Rabbitohs fans, has been compared favourably with New Zealand's dual-code international Sonny Bill Williams, and Sinfield believes he could even match his exploits in the boxing ring.

"They are both right up there," he said. "I think what Sonny Bill has done in both union and league and boxing, I reckon Sam is the type of athlete and stature who could do something similar.

"They are both formidable athletes and both fantastic blokes and they have a huge impact on how their teams play."

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