Burgess’ four-match ban

England prop George Burgess said it was never his intention to eye-gouge Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak after being slapped with a four-match suspension following the ugly incident at Anfield. Television footage showed Burgess’ fingers making contact with the New Zealand fullback’s eye in a tackle in the 61st minute of the second test England won 20-14 in Liverpool on Monday. Burgess went unpunished in the game but he was later cited and the Rugby Football League announced on Wednesday that he was found guilty of a Grade D offence – ‘‘contrary to the true spirit of the game’’ – after a disciplinary hearing. The 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge before accepting his punishment, but said he could not accept that he would deliberately gouge an opponent’s eye.