Sam Burgess’ South Sydney teammates are refusing to contemplate life without the talismanic Englishman after he once again delivered when it mattered in Friday’s NRL preliminary final win over the Sydney Roosters.

With the scores locked at 12-all and with seconds remaining of the first half, Sydney Roosters prop Sam Moa looked certain to power over for a crucial try.

But Burgess, who will depart the NRL to play rugby union for Bath after next week’s grand final, stood firm to hold up the Kiwi front-rower with rookie back-rower Kyle Turner then joining in to halt Moa in his tracks.

Souths coach Michael Maguire, a man whose hyperbole levels seldom rise above simmering point, hailed the play as inspirational and laid the platform for his side to race away in the second half to win 32-22.

Burgess played down the significance of the tackle saying it was simply something the team worked hard on in training, but Turner hailed the influence the forward has had on the game and also his burgeoning career.

“He’s the player I have tried to model my game on,” Turner told AAP.

“I’ll never be a Sam Burgess, but I try to take as much from what he does and incorporate it into my game.

“If I can be half as good as he is then I will be happy.

“Sam has been a big help to me since I came into first grade, he is great with the young players, always helping us out.

“It’s been a pleasure to play with him and I know all of us will miss him next year, but it’s not something I want to even trying to think about, we haven’t won anything yet and Sam is still one of us.”

Rabbitohs prop Jason Clark said Burgess’ tackle was a shot in the arm for the team at halftime and believes despite being just 25, Burgess is already one of the greatest forwards to play in the NRL.

“He’s been a brilliant players for us since day one,” Clark said.

“I don’t even want to think about next year without him, there is too much to worry about this week without thinking about next year.”