Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE SAM’SGOING UP IN THE WORLD
After big disappointments at World Cups in both league and union, star man Burgess is ready to shine this time
SAM BURGESS is back on centre stage in the sporting world.
The South Sydney friend of Russell Crowe will enter his own gladiatorial arena in Brisbane as the star man for an England side that has steadily improved since losing to Australia in the opening game five weeks ago.
After his much-chronicled World Cup disappointments of past years, it’s where he wants to be.
Not only that, but following Sean O’loughlin’s withdrawal yesterday, Burgess will captain his country for its biggest game since the 1995 final at Wembley.
It’s a long way from his previous World Cup experiences, included his illfated, over-analysed role in the union team’s disastrous 2015 campaign (above right).
He missed the 2008 rugby league event through injury and then in 2013 saw New Zealand snatch away the prospect of a final showdown with Australia in the dying seconds at Wembley (above left). Memories of that year in particular are fresh in Burgess’ mind.
“I did the commentary for the final in 2013 with the BBC and it was a tough day,” Burgess admitted. “I’m glad I’m not doing that this year. It was a pretty disappointing finish to a fantastic World Cup in England.
“The Kiwis were not at their best and I thought we could have done a better job.
“But we don’t have to worry about that. We’ve got a chance to do it on the field.” Burgess has shown he is a man for the big occasion before.
In 2014 he played almost the entire NRL Grand Final with a shattered cheekbone after clashing heads with England team-mate James Graham in the opening exchanges.
His courage and bravery in leading Souths to victory, their first title in 43 years, was one of the iconic sporting performances in recent memory.
Burgess will take some of the experiences from that afternoon into this morning’s decider.
He said: “Certainly you learn as you go and I learned a lot from that about building up through the big tournaments, being in finals.
“I really enjoy the final week. There is a buzz around – we’re in Australia and there are a lot of English fans here.
“You have to enjoy it, it can’t be a burden or you start getting frustrated about things and that is when you start going backwards.
“When I was younger I probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much and get too het up about things early in the week.
“But now I relax and when it is time to play we play. In 2014 with Souths everyone just did their job, nothing spectacular, just their role.
“When the moments appeared or presented themselves people took them and that is what it will be against Australia.
“It will be a tight game and there will be three or four moments that get presented.
“It will be the team that takes them or doesn’t take them that wins or loses.”
Victory for England could propel Burgess and his team-mates onto a new level in the country, although it is not a prospect he has allowed himself to dwell on.
He added: “We’re aware of the magnitude of what could happen and how good for the game it could be in the UK.
“But I am quite reluctant to talk about ifs, buts and maybes.
“I understand what it will take to win. I’ve been in situations where I’ve been in the final week of things and you talk about things too much, rather than focusing on what it will take.
“The Aussies are a fair team, and we’ve got to be on our game.
“We’re fully aware of what’s gone before us, but we’re here to put our own footprints in the history books.”