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Sam Burgess of England - Source: Photosport -
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Now we know why Russell Crowe shelled out all those Hollywood dollars to get England tyro Sam Burgess to South Sydney.
If ever there was a performance to prove Burgess was worth every penny of the estimated $500,000 it took to buy out the backrower's deal with Super League side Bradford, his effort in a losing Four Nations final side was it.
England lost 46-16 at the weekend but it was Burgess - and not just with his two tries - who had the home side on the brink of an amazing upset win when he charged over from short range to give his side a 16-14 lead ten minutes into the second half.
Burgess was creating mayhem all over and was arguably the best player on the paddock, not a bad effort for a bloke in a side trounced by 30 points.
"He showed me didn't he," said Australia backrower Nathan Hindmarsh, who dared label Burgess's first-up game against the Kangaroos just over a fortnight ago "quiet."
"I ran at him with the second last hit-up of the game and he picked me up and drove me.
"He's got a bit of skill and a bit of footwork and he's got good toe, it'll be interesting to see how he goes (in the NRL)."
Burgess's most stunning play was his 40-metre run to open the scoring after 11 minutes, a blazing effort featuring speed, strength and a pair of dazzling left foot steps which left both Petero Civoniceva and Billy Slater flat on their backs.
It was enough to convince Civoniceva that Burgess was ready to leave his mark on the NRL, despite being just 20 years of age.
"What a weapon, he's unbelievable," Civoniceva said.
"I think he's going to take the NRL by storm.
"He's pretty freakish for such a big man. Great footwork and he just offers so much in attack."
