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RABBITOHS superstar Sam Burgess has labelled "Squirrel Gate" the one great regret of his NRL career, admitting the unsavoury tackle on Melbourne centre Will Chambers could see him branded a thug forever.
Once a poster boy for rugby league, on Tuesday Burgess conceded his new 'bad guy' image is completely the result of one moment, eight months ago, which saw him convicted, and suspended, for grabbing the testicles of Chambers.
In a revealing interview, the 25-year-old also strongly denied claims of on-field thuggery, saying: "I don't think I'm a dirty player, no".
South Sydney's Sam Burgess squirrel grip on Will Chambers. Picture Fox Sports Source: FoxSports
He also shrugged off suggestions he is unpopular among fans, and even urged NRL boss Dave Smith to go easy on the Penrith female who attacked him with a flag stick as he left the field last Friday night.
Asked about growing criticism of his playing style, Burgess replied: "I don't think I'm a dirty player.
"But if there is one incident in my career I could take back, it would be the Chambers tackle. That's what has labelled me, that one tackle.
"And I've had it done to me a few times in games, too. You know, accidental ... stuff happens.
"So people can have an opinion of me, it is what it is. My job is to get on with it."
And as for just how he gets on with it?
South Sydney's Sam Burgess passes the ball at training. Source: News Corp Australia
"Look, football, it's a tough game, a contact sport,'' Burgess continued.
"At times it is going to get heated and you've got to accept that.
"But for me, what's on the field stays on the field. I'm not one to come away and talk about it, hold grudges.
"Fans come to the games every week for the contact. That's what I like as well."
Souths superstar Greg Inglis agrees, strongly refuting suggestions Burgess plays the game illegally.
"We love what Sammy does because we want our forwards to be aggressive, to get under people's skin - that's what footy is,'' Inglis said.
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"And he knows what's right from wrong.
"Sam's an aggressive player ... and there's a big difference between a dirty player and an aggressive player."
Once ranked among the most popular players in the NRL, Burgess has endured a tumultuous past 12 months of broken contracts, broken hearts and, supposedly, a breaking of the brotherhood that is South Sydney's playing roster.
The hulking Englishman has also suffered criticism for his release of a Grand Final week documentary, his regular Sydney Confidential appearances and those running battles with everyone from Sam Thaiday, Mitchell Pearce and Aaron Woods to the entire Manly Sea Eagles pack.
South Sydney's Sam Burgess leads the run during South Sydney Rabbioths training. Source: News Limited
So has the Burgess bubble burst?
"Ah, I'm not too worried,'' the Redfern enforcer shrugged.
"There are always going to be things written, good or bad, that you have to take it with a pinch of salt.
"It's quite comical at times, (but) with the media stuff, I don't regret it at all. I think as a player, it's your duty to promote the game.''
Elsewhere, Burgess insisted he had not been keeping track of Benji Marshall's unhappy switch to rugby - "to be honest I haven't seen a thing" - and also urged the NRL to go easy on the fan who whacked him over the melon.
"I'd feel pretty crappy if she was banned,'' he said.
"I don't want that to happen. Let's forget about it. Don't let it happen again but move on."
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