Jarryd Hayne’s struggles to adapt to life in the NFL are well documented but another rugby league star appears to be trying his luck in the US.
Tom Burgess, one of the three Burgess brothers at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, is reported to have tried out at tight end with the New York Giants. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news:
Other player the Giants worked out today: TE Tom Burgess. An English rugby star. Could he be the next Jarryd Hayne?
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 3, 2015
Burgess recently extended his deal at the Rabbitohs until 2018 but has previously expressed an interest in playing in the NFL.
“I have shown interest in NFL for a while and I’d spoken to a few of my friends about how I’d love to go there [but] somehow it’s been turned into I’ve got a contract out there, and that’s why I’ve signed for one year with Souths,” Burgess said in May. “That’s not the case, there’s nothing there yet and I’ve not spoken to anyone. It is something I definitely wouldn’t turn my nose up at, I’d look into it but there’s nothing there currently.
“That one year was just because I’m still young and I’d like to think I’m still growing as a player. I can’t estimate where I’m going to be at in one year really.”
Burgess won the NRL grand final, alongside his brothers Luke, Sam and George – although Luke has since joined the Sea Eagles. Tom would not be the first Burgess brother to swap codes either: Sam took a break from rugby league to play rugby union before returning to the Rabbitohs after this year’s World Cup. Tom has also represented England’s rugby league team on nine occasions.
Hayne had early success as a punt returner and running back in pre-season for the San Francisco 49ers but after struggling to adapt to the NFL he is now on the team’s practice squad.
Australian rugby union player Hayden Smith made the New York Jets roster in 2012 as a tight end, playing five games before being released in 2013.
