South Sydney prop George Burgess has hinted he may follow in his brother Sam's footsteps, admitting the lure of rugby union could see him leave the NRL.
While George is on contract with South Sydney until the end of 2016, the Rabbitohs wrecking ball, who was in England to watch his older brother before Christmas, hasn't ruled out a code switch of his own.
There was speculation last year that an English rugby club had expressed interest in the forward but while little came of it, George said it could become a reality in the future.
"Not at the minute but you never say never," he said ahead of his NRL Nines debut in Auckland on Saturday.
"You never know what the future can hold. Maybe in a few years down the track. For now, though, I'm pretty interested in rugby league and what I can do in this sport."
George's comments come as Sam prepares to make his debut in the run-on side for the England Saxons (second-string national side) against a near Test-strength Ireland Wolfhounds in Cork this weekend.
Both George and his twin brother Thomas visited Sam in Bath last year for what was his first game in the starting side for his new club, with George admitting his older brother was beginning to make some noise in the 15-man game.
"He looks good," George said.
"He's doing well over there now. He's only played a few games, but he's starting to hit form and turn a few heads with the England selectors. He's doing well. Obviously playing a totally different sport is a big challenge, but he's excited."
South Sydney's quartet of Burgesses has been reduced to two, with eldest brother Luke recently linking with Manly for 2015.
While George is looking forward to lining up against Luke for the first time, he insists he is happy with his brother's decision to leave South Sydney for an opportunity elsewhere.
"I never got the chance to play against Luke in the Super League but I think Tom's played against Luke," George said.
"It will be good fun. We do it in training every week and we used to do it at home in the backyard, so it'll be nothing new.
"He was thinking about his family, and he's got a young family. He's thinking about prolonging his career at another club. He'll get a few more opportunities elsewhere. It's the best thing for Luke to do and I think he made a great choice."
Sam, who will be out to impress England head coach Stuart Lancaster in his debut for England Saxons, said he was copping some flack from NRL players over his involvement in union but insists adjusting is tougher than it looks.
"There was one stat that came up on TV that showed I'd made 15 metres in the whole game against Leicester, while we try and make that in one carry in league," Burgess told the London Daily Telegraph.
"The league boys have been giving me stick saying that I've become lazy. That's footy banter. But there is a perception from outside that union is easier, that you don't have to be as fit as you do in league. That's a big statement and you don't appreciate until you play union just how intense it is. And how skilful. It is a lot tougher than viewed from outside.
"I am focused on giving it my all in union. You have to let go of what you have been doing before, although it is hard to forget instantly what you have been doing all your life. The most difficult thing to get used to is that in league you can go and try to influence a game by getting your hands on the ball no matter what. In union, you have to wait, maybe do a lot of work off the ball."
