Warrington boss Burgess inducted into NRL Hall of Fame

Sam Burgess' first Grand Final with South Sydney saw him break his cheekbone but play on

It took six seconds of the 2014 National Rugby League Grand Final to turn England forward Sam Burgess' life upside down.

South Sydney Rabbitohs were aiming for a first title in their first appearance in the showpiece since 1971, when Burgess broke his cheekbone in the first hit-up of the game against fellow Sydney side Canterbury Bulldogs.

Somehow, the Dewsbury-born forward put the discomfort and pain to one side and for the best part of 80 minutes turned in a performance of courage and leadership to steer the Bunnies to the big prize.

He flew into tackles, carried the hard yards and inspired his team-mates in cardinal and myrtle to end their trophy drought, winning the Clive Churchill Medal - another Souths and Hall of Fame legend - for man of the match.

It was just the sort of storybook-bravery shown throughout his career that, 10 years on, has prompted the NRL to induct Burgess into their Hall of Fame at next Wednesday's ceremony - the first Englishman to receive the accolade.

"You don't really play for that kind of honour at the time," now-Warrington coach Burgess told BBC Sport.

"But to be recognised, it was a great sense of achievement, I was chuffed."

From early founding fathers such as Dally Messenger, sepia-tinged legends like Churchill, Reg Gasnier and Bob Fulton through to Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis and Andrew Johns, the Hall of Fame is a who's-who of southern hemisphere rugby league.

Burgess is joined on the list this time round by recently-retired legends such as Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater.

Mirroring past heroics

Sam Burgess, plus brother Luke, mum Julie, and brothers George and Tom, who also played, shared celebrations with the NRL Trophy

The iconic significance of Burgess' sacrifice in that final was not lost on Souths fans, who had long hailed the similar bravery of club legend John Sattler.

Sattler had his jaw broken in the 1970 final against Manly, but battled on for much of the game to lead the Rabbitohs to success.

Burgess' teary eyes, as Greg Inglis' goanna-crawl try celebration took him across the ANZ Stadium turf in the final moments of the game, showed just what it all meant, alongside playing with brothers George and Tom and fellow sibling Luke, who missed out on selection.

"I don't think you could write that storyline, we have a Hollywood owner in Russell Crowe and I think if he was to write a script he couldn't write that one," Burgess added.

"It was really bizarre on the day how it all fell into place, and John Sattler was in the stadium watching. I saw him after the game and he was touching my face, everyone was saying 'wow you did the same thing' and we managed to get the job done that day.

"Once you retire, and time moves on, you slowly reflect. On some parts you think 'that was a really big moment in my life'. I'm just pleased that I was the best version of myself then, I was alongside my brothers and my family, some great team-mates and coaches.

"They're just really fond memories. We had the success as well but the moments and memories are the things you hold on to."

Continuing the 'Pommie' legacy

Adrian Morley's aggressive style, similar to Sam Burgess, made him a popular figure with NRL fans, if not referees

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.