They butted heads recently but NRL boss Todd Greenberg says it would be a pity if South Sydney captain Sam Burgess is forced to retire through injury.
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Nine Media have reported 30-year-old Burgess could announce his retirement as soon as this week due to persistent shoulder problems including an infection that developed post-surgery.
Burgess was called to a meeting with Greenberg in September after he labelled the NRL judiciary a kangaroo court.
He was given a $10,000 suspended fine and forced to issue a public apology for his comments.
But with his career in jeopardy after 182 NRL games, Greenberg has said his sudden retirement would be a shame.
"He's been an ornament to the NRL in the way that he carries himself on the field," Greenberg said while announcing the 2020 NRL draw on Tuesday.
"I know he's got himself into some trouble occasionally with judiciary and match reviews, but he's the sort of player people want to watch.
"He's the sort of player I like to watch. I find him an unbelievable competitor on the field so I hope to see him back. I don't know what his future holds but I hope he's back playing rugby league again next year.
"He's been a great competitor in our game, he's one of the best. And if he finishes because of an injury, that would be a real shame. I hope that isn't the case and I hope he can come back from this."
Burgess is overseas, but it is expected the Souths board will meet this week to discuss his future.
He re-signed with the club at the end of 2018 on a deal worth around $1 million a season until 2023.
Should Burgess be medically retired, the sticking point will be whether the remainder of his contract will be exempt from the salary cap in 2020.
A similar situation arose earlier this year involving former Souths skipper Greg Inglis, who walked away from his NRL contract to take up a new role with the club. He is now on their coaching staff for 2020.
Inglis's salary is not included in Souths' salary cap. Greenberg confirmed the Burgess situation will be treated on its own merit.
"They're very different because Greg Inglis effectively walked away from his contract, so Greg Inglis is not being paid, so you can't put something in the salary cap when you're not being paid," he said.
"I think the Sam Burgess one is a little too early to speculate on.
"The rules are very clear in place around career-ending injuries and that's an agreement we made with the clubs and the players' association, so we'll deal with that in the fullness of time but I think it's a bit early to have that discussion yet."
Australian Associated Press
