Sam Moa is still perplexed as to how he didn't score. 

Looking likely to cross for his sixth try of the season with seconds remaining before halftime, the Sydney Roosters prop appeared a shoo-in.
 
That was until South Sydney colossus Sam Burgess grabbed a hold of the Kiwi international, bringing him down inches from the white stripe.

Despite it being mentioned in the aftermath of the Rabbitohs' 32-22 win over the reigning premiers, Burgess couldn't recall his thought process leading up to the clutch tackle.

However, the impact of the try saver was not lost on coach Michael Maguire. 

"That was an inspirational tackle," Maguire told the media when asked about the importance of the play.

"That was a beauty. He's been doing plays like that all year for us. Ever since he's been here. It was a big play. Those sorts of things make these games."

After struggling in the early stages of the fixture, the Rabbitohs fought back to level the scoreline at 12-all, though if it wasn't for Burgess's heroics the game could have veered off in a different direction.

Heading towards their third straight preliminary final defeat after conceding two tries in the opening eight minutes, Burgess had very little running through his head in what could have possibly been his final game of rugby league.

"We just stayed pretty calm. We just had to get back into our process," Burgess said.

"We always believed in ourselves."

The belief now instilled within the club is something Burgess will now look to utilise in South Sydney's first grand final in 43 years.

Putting Rabbitohs fans out of their misery is one thing but for Burgess it has come off the back of five years of painstakingly hard work.
 
"You have to take your opportunities when they come. We took them tonight," Burgess said. 

"We haven't achieved too much but we have given ourselves the opportunity to do [achieve something] next week."

Now gearing towards his final game of rugby league before taking up a three-year deal with English Rugby outfit Bath, the 25-year-old admitted he was motivated not to cut short his stay in the red-and-green jumper.

"I told the boys I wanted to play in the Grand Final," Burgess said.

 "I don't want it to be my last match or be the end of the journey so I'm definitely thankful for the effort the team put in. It wasn't our most polished performance but we got the win."