Burgess finding top form again: Maguire

Souths coach Michael Maguire says Sam Burgess is closing in on the form that made his one of the NRL's best players before his defection to rugby union.

After a slow start to the year for South Sydney's Burgess clan, coach Michael Maguire says Redfern's English trio are close to finding their best form again in the NRL.

Off-season injuries have hampered the efforts of twins Tom and George Burgess over the opening third of the season while Sam has battled to find his best form after returning from rugby union.

But Maguire said the English internationals showed in Souths' first win in five games over Parramatta last week they are nearing their best again.

"A number of our forwards had operations in the pre-season, so I am seeing them now really start to respond off the back of the training they have been doing," Maguire said at Redfern Oval on Tuesday.

"Tom Burgess, unfortunately he had an ankle injury and he is now finding his feet again and George is working through what he needs to so he is starting to come on."

Like Tom, George missed the start of the season due to injury, after having off-season surgery on his hip.

Sam Burgess returned to the NRL this year after a season away with English rugby.

Maguire said it was "hard to judge" how Sam's round three neck injury had affected his confidence.

However the dual international returned to his rampaging best in the win over the Eels and Maguire said he was on the right track.

"He obviously came back after his world cup late into the pre-season and now he is getting his body back into the great shape that is required to play rugby league," Maguire said.

Maguire confirmed Greg Inglis will again play five-eighth for Souths in their round 11 NRL clash against St George Illawarra on Thursday.

Alex Johnston will again play fullback with premiership-winning pivot Luke Keary coming off the bench.

"We are going with those same combinations as last week," Maguire said.

"It worked last week and I am looking forward to seeing it again."


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