Burgess 'stupid' to aggravate injury as Souths gear up for Seibold grudge match

Sam Burgess says he was "stupid" to try and chase down Will Hopoate and aggravate the quad injury that threatens to sideline him for Friday's grudge match with Brisbane and former coach Anthony Seibold.

Burgess sent a shudder through the Rabbitohs camp when he pulled up lame late in Saturday's upset loss to Canterbury, chastising himself for trying to run down Hopoate when the Bulldogs centre made a break.

Having just returned from a one-week layoff with the quad strain, Burgess was switched from his usual right edge into the middle to manage his injury.

He revealed he was not meant to play at any more than "80 per cent" of what he was capable of doing against Canterbury, only for his competitive instincts to get the better of him.

"I wasn't really over 80 per cent all night," Burgess said after full-time.

"That was the plan, just to try and get into stride.

"You have to listen to your body. I was playing in the middle as well, so I wasn't moving as fast or as often.   

"But that break at the end there and when I've tried to chase down Will [Hopoate], stupidly, I didn't need to do it, but it was the competitive edge.

"Thankfully I pulled out of it and I pulled up, and hopefully the damage is not as bad as first thought."

Burgess said given he was "close" to playing against Melbourne on a three-day turnaround from first injuring his quad going into round 21, he was hopeful a six-day turnaround would have him able to lead the Rabbitohs onto Suncorp Stadium.

The Englishman's race against the clock adds yet another layer to the rivalry with South Sydney's former coach Seibold.

Wayne Bennett conceded the Rabbitohs' season was "not terminal yet, but it's getting close" after a third straight loss dropped them out of the top four.

Seibold's Broncos meanwhile have grafted out five wins from their last seven games to sneak into seventh spot.

For Burgess the ongoing injury is particularly frustrating following an infection from a shoulder clean-out and two trips to the judiciary amid ongoing focus on his aggressive approach in defence.

"It's frustrating, I've been as fit as I've been for two or three years leading into a season, so it's disappointing," Burgess said.

"It's part of the game and you need to move on with it, it's one thing after the other at the minute, which is frustrating.

"But it will build a bit more resistance. I'll do everything I can to get on the field for next week."