There's one thing the Canberra Raiders have to thank Sam Burgess for - the recruitment of Elliott Whitehead.
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Whitehead paid tribute to the South Sydney enforcer following his retirement this week.
If it wasn't for his debilitating shoulder injury, Burgess would be in the Great Britain camp with Whitehead preparing for the Test against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.
But he was at Bradford when Whitehead made his English Super League debut for the Bulls against Wakefield in 2009.
Burgess joined the Rabbitohs the following year to begin his 182-game NRL career.
Whitehead said that was the spark for him to come over as well, leaving Catalans to join the Green Machine in 2016.
"I made my debut with him in 2009 and then he moved over to Australia," he said of Burgess.
"I always had it in the back of my mind after he'd been over here that I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
"If it weren't for him I probably never would've come.
"I've known Sam for a few years and he's always encouraged us to come over and try over here.
"It's worked out well for me and if it weren't for him then I probably never would've done that."
The Lions are looking to bounce back from their shock 14-6 loss to Tonga last weekend.
It's the first of a two-Test series against the Kiwis, with Whitehead running out alongside fellow Raiders Josh Hodgson and John Bateman, while Joe Tapine returns from suspension for the Kiwis with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Bailey Simonsson and George Williams are 19th man for New Zealand and the Lions respectively, while former Raider Blake Austin is also a Great Britain reserve.
Whitehead said it was a sad ending to 30-year-old Burgess's career, which included Souths 2014 premiership and 24 Tests for England and Great Britain.
"It's terrible news he's had to retire so early, but you look back at his career and what he's done and achieved through that career's been amazing," Whitehead said.
"He's an idol to so many in this team here at the moment and I wish him all the best in retirement.
"He's a great competitor, he wants to win and he turns up week-in, week-out.
"Unfortunately he's had to retire now, but he'll leave a legacy behind him."
RUGBY LEAGUE INTERNATIONALS
Saturday: Samoa v Fiji at 12.20pm; New Zealand v Great Britain at 3pm; Tonga Invitational v Australia at 5.40pm. All games at Eden Park.