If the Melbourne-bound Danny Cipriani requires any tips about life as a rugby player Down Under, he could do worse than consult Sam Burgess, who is the most high-profile Englishman on the Australian sporting scene.

The irony is that Cipriani is likely to encounter a less celebrated life as a rugby union player in Australia than he has had at home, whereas Burgess has gone from being a relative unknown in Britain to being idolised in a country where league is the predominant code.

Burgess, the England forward, has joined South Sydney Rabbitohs — who are co-owned by Russell Crowe, the actor — from Bradford Bulls and will make his first appearance tomorrow in a pre-season match, for which all the hype centres on the impact of the young heavyweight from Leeds.

Much has been made of Burgess’s tan in the two months since he arrived in Sydney on his 21st birthday. “Remember the days of Pommy footballers running out for their Sydney rugby league debut all white legs and pasty skin? Not Sam Burgess, who’s taken on an appropriately bronze sheen as he prepares for his debut with the Bunnies,” according to one newspaper profile.

Crowe’s pursuit of Burgess last year while filming Robin Hood in England created much fuss. However, the Australian public grew to appreciate the actor’s interest when Burgess’s power, skills and tryscoring abilities were writ large over the Kangaroos’ two encounters with England in last autumn’s Four Nations tournament.

Although he has yet to play a game, Burgess was yesterday called into the NRL All Stars squad for the match next Saturday against the Indigenous All Stars. He replaces his fellow England forward, Gareth Ellis, of Wests Tigers, who has withdrawn after the birth of his first child.

Burgess is no party animal, so probably would not be able to direct Cipriani on that score. Indeed, the Australian press made much of Burgess indicating his intent by arriving on his birthday. “I had all my celebrations before I got out here, so I don’t think I will be celebrating too much here. I am here to play rugby, not to be out partying,” he said.

John Lang, the Rabbitohs’ veteran coach, said: “It would have been easy to come out in the new year and have Christmas at home. It shows the determination and commitment he has to be here now. All the top-class English players have made an impact in our competition and I have no doubt that Sam will as well.”

For the ambitious Burgess, playing in the NRL fulfils a childhood dream. It will begin in earnest when the season proper starts against Sydney Roosters on March 14, although all eyes will be on him at the Redfern Oval in the friendly match with Manly Sea Eagles tomorrow.

As an Englishman with a reputation, he is bound to be a target for opponents. “I’ve thought about that a little bit, Burgess said. “But it’s a contact sport and part of the game.”