Battered Bunnies lock Sam Burgess says he's in it for himself and isn't trying to imitate dual-international Sonny Bill Williams, with the pair to meet in the Rabbitohs' clash with the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night.
Signed to play for Bath in English rugby in 2015 with the hope of representing England at the World Cup, Burgess isn't worried about the comparisons with Williams after detailing his rugby union ambitions.
"I have made my own decisions based on what was going on for me at the time. It has always been my ambition to have a crack," Burgess said.
"If I can get anywhere near where he [Sonny] has achieved I'll be pretty happy. I respect everything he has done.
"I think he is a wonderful athlete and I admire what he has achieved. I certainly respect him a million per cent but you know I have always had my own ambitions to test myself. I didn't think it would come around this quick but things have happened the way they have."
While Burgess didn't envision that he would be jumping codes so earlier in his career, the back-rower realises the comparisons between him and Williams will seep through to their upcoming match-up.
"Every time Sonny and I play against one another people talk about it. Personally though, it is just another game of football. I don't think there is anything there between Sonny and me," Burgess said.
"We just have to keep building on what we dished up [last week]. They are in some good form too at the minute so we will have a good look at them and we are going to have to put our best foot forward."
Above all, Burgess is concentrating on the Roosters this weekend and while the minor premiership is attainable, the Rabbitohs enforcer is also focused on his own battle with fitness after suffering a rib injury and a corked knee against the Bulldogs last week.
"It was a pretty tough game. I was pretty bruised up afterwards but I have had a few good days recovery and I've done the right things so I'm feeling good. A hell of lot better than Friday morning, I can tell you that," he said.
"I didn't sleep after the game, not a wink... it is crazy what your body does sometimes. Some boys can't sleep after a game and struggle with the adrenalin and all that sort of stuff but I'm normally OK.
"The body soreness kept me up. When you get a knock in the ribs it is very uncomfortable. I ended up getting and watching TV because I was pissing my missus off and I turned the game on and watched the game back at 4:30 in the morning."
With his recovery on track and physiotherapy working its magic, Burgess should be ready to roll for South Sydney's final regular season game of the year.
