By Phil Harlow

He's going to be up there with the very best forwards in the game Terry Newton on the highly rated Sam Burgess (above)

Great Britain hooker Terry Newton says his Bradford team-mate Sam Burgess can become the new Adrian Morley.

The 18-year-old Burgess burst into the Bulls first team last season, and has already earned comparisons with New Zealand superstar Sonny Bill Williams.

"I was fortunate enough to play alongside a young Adrian Morley at Leeds, and Sam has got everything that he had," Newton told BBC Sport.

"If anything, Sam might have more to his game than Adrian at the same age."

Morley made his name at Leeds as a youngster before moving to Australia's NRL for a successful six-year stay with Sydney Roosters.

The 29-year-old, one of the mainstays of the Great Britain pack for the last decade, has a reputation as one of the biggest tacklers in the sport.

And Newton said Burgess could soon be joining himself and Morley in the Great Britain side.

"At the end of the season with another 12 months under his belt, I've no doubts that he's going to be pushing for international honours," said Newton.

606 DEBATE: Does Sam Burgess deserve all the plaudits?

"He's training hard, and getting bigger and with a bit more experience he's going to be up there with the very best forwards in the game."

Burgess said he wanted to carve out his own niche in the game.

"I try to take all the attention in my stride and not pay too much attention to it," Burgess told BBC Sport.

"Some of the comparisons people have made are very flattering and hopefully I can do my best to try to achieve what players like that have done in the game.

"But I just want to develop my own game and not try to copy somebody else's.

I can play pretty much anywhere in the pack Bradford's Sam Burgess

"I have role models the same as anybody else. When I was younger I really looked up to Iestyn Harris, Jamie Peacock and Stuart Fielden.

"I want to make my own mark and be my own man though."

Burgess can play at prop, second row or loose forward.

"I'm hoping this will be my season to really establish myself in the first team," he said.

"I got a few games off the bench last season and as long as I'm in the team I'm not bothered where I play. I just want to make as many starts and get as much game time as I can.

"I genuinely don't have a favourite position. I can play pretty much anywhere in the pack and I'm equally happy in any position."

But the rave reviews and high praise Burgess has been attracting are no protection from the traditional dressing-room banter.

"My nickname of 'Moonhead' followed me from school unfortunately," joked Burgess.

"I get a lot of stick about having a big head - not as in I'm conceited but as in I've actually got a big head!