"See you on the dark side".
With those words to Sam Burgess at full-time on Friday night, Sonny Bill Williams made it clear he expected one of the NRL's great rivalries to continue in rugby union, but the Englishman is focused on nothing else this week other than farewelling South Sydney with a premiership.
Burgess will play his final match for Souths in next Sunday's grand final after earlier this season being granted a release to join Bath in the hope of playing for England at next year's World Cup.
After the Burgess-inspired Rabbitohs eliminated the Roosters, Williams returned to rugby union. He is considered a certainty to play for New Zealand at the World Cup, and possibly the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
"I have got nothing but respect for Sonny, he is an unbelievable athlete. I spoke to him after the game and I just shook his hand," Burgess said.
"I completely respect everything he has done and he is an athlete that I like watching.
"I think he is an amazing role model for players in the NRL now and the young kids that watch the game. Full credit to him, he has certainly left his mark on the game.
"He is all about discipline and dedication, and he is a pretty phenomenal athlete. I have been honoured and lucky to play against him a few times. He is a quality player and I love playing against him. We have always had good battles and I am sure we will meet each other again in the future."
But when asked if he was referring to the World Cup in Britain at the end of next year, Burgess said: "It is not in my mind at the moment. All I am thinking about is next week."
Since making the decision to switch codes next season, Burgess has been committed to the Rabbitohs and has made changes to his off-field lifestyle and on-field discipline in a bid to help the club achieve an elusive 21st premiership.
The 25-year-old was again one of the Rabbitohs best in the 32-22 defeat of the Roosters and came up with a try-saving tackle on half-time that prevented the premiers from going to the break ahead. It also inspired Souths to a grand final appearance after falling one win short the past two seasons.
"It has been my goal from day one to make a grand final, so achieving it is pretty cool and we have given ourselves an opportunity," Burgess said.
"Sometimes disappointment grows hunger and belief, so we just rode it. We have got a lot of new kids in the team who have not experienced the last few years, so it has been refreshing to have them around and they are a big part of what we have done."
Williams, who led the Roosters to premiership success last year, said he told Burgess and the Rabbitohs players to enjoy grand final week.
"I know a couple of the Souths boys very well and I just wished them the best," Williams said.
"It is a funny thing in rugby league because, obviously, you have real big rivalries but when you see them and they are obviously going forward to the grand final next week, you know all the emotions involved and you know that the victor is going to be on top of the world, so I just wished them good luck for next week.
"l think to get the best out of yourself and not get ahead of yourself in grand final week, you just have to keep things as normal as possible."
Asked if he expected to run into Burgess again, Williams said: "I am pretty sure I will. I said to him after the game 'good luck for next week and I will see you on the dark side', so to speak."
