Burgess a rugby Rebel on French return

AAPApril 15, 2013,
2:53 pm

Wallabies halfback Luke Burgess will return from France to play for the Melbourne Rebels after signing a two-year contract with the Australian Rugby Union.

Burgess last played for Australia at the 2011 World Cup before taking up a lucrative deal with leading French club Toulouse where he's mostly come off the bench behind Jean-Marc Doussain.

The 37-Test halfback's return has long been forecast, with his Rebels deal sparking Nick Phipps' switch from Melbourne to the NSW Waratahs for 2014.

Burgess will arrive back in Australia at the end of France's Top 14 competition.

The Top 14 final is scheduled for June 1 and defending champions Toulouse are currently sitting third.

Burgess's first match for the Rebels could be as early as their June 25 tour match against the British and Irish Lions.

The former NSW Waratah believes his French experience has made him a better player as he hopes to play for the Wallabies again.

"The rugby has been different, especially in terms of the physicality on a weekly basis - the games can be a real grind, but it's been a great learning curve that I've had," he said.

"Obviously representing my country again is a goal, but I'm also looking forward to linking up with the Rebels and playing my part in the on-going development of the game in Melbourne."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...french-return/

With supposedly limited ARU top ups available, how does he get one!

Surely with Genia, White, McKibben Phipps there cannot be place for another scumhalf on a reduced list!

Surely money spent on 3rd reserve can start going towards a third tier comp and be be more worthwhile.

Burgess was nothing more than slightly above average, he did not set the scene alight.

Someone please enlighten me.