Burgess brothers set to rewrite history

[Futtocks]

[Kenny Bania]

I actually agree with this. Having 4 Burgess brothers in the squad may be the best publicity the England RL team may get nationally. Sam and George are 'no-brainers' to be in there. Luke and Tom would have to stack up against Chris Hill, Morley etc.

Plus Julie Burgess is PR gold. This is a story that can chime with people outside of the sport and really get folk interested.

[Guest]

Couldn't agree more with all comments about great PR for the rugby league world cup, should be great for the print media, radio and the TV. It needs to be milked for all it's worth only problem is that 2 of the brothers Sam and George are nailed on, not so sure about Luke and George and where does that leave players like Crabtree, hock, Westwood, hill etc.

[longboard]

Jonathan Liew has more background in the Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/10267503/Burgess-brothers-to-make-NRL-history-with-South-Sydney-Rabbitohs-as-all-four-named-in-squad-to-face-Wests-Tigers.html

I am starting to warm to Jonathan Liew, when he writes about Rugby League, he is generally fair and I think he will cover a number of the World Cup games for the Telegraph.

 

I agree.

 

He does some mickey taking pieces for the Final Whistle column in the Torygraph and these included one sending up aspects of Sky's coverage of RL; mind you, lots on here would have agreed with the content. He's wrote a good article on the Grand Final IIIRC.

[OMEGA]

I was going to say the Swanns, but I think one of the three was a cousin, not a brother.

 

Of course, there was the Keinhorsts for Germany v Serbia.

Andy, Neil & Richard Kelly all played in a game together when Dewsbury played Wakefield a few years back.

Great to see the Fourtress of Burgess playing today, there was a set when the sequence of drives from a kick off went: Tom-Sam-Luke-George-Tom and then all four of them made a tackle on some poor Wests player.

Great for the game!

[Gruff]

Couldn't agree more with all comments about great PR for the rugby league world cup, should be great for the print media, radio and the TV. It needs to be milked for all it's worth only problem is that 2 of the brothers Sam and George are nailed on, not so sure about Luke and George and where does that leave players like Crabtree, hock, Westwood, hill etc.

Given the 23 man squad is going to consist of 6 props, 5 backrowers, 2 hookers and 10 backs I think there is room, and they will be there on merit. S. Burgess will prob not be classed as a prop.

WC Props

G. Burgess

T. Burgess

L. Burgess

J. Graham

E. Crabtree

L. Mossop

With Sam as cover would be a great forward line up and I can't think of anyone who would be an automatic selection ahead of these boys. This leaves Sam, Ellis, westwood, O'Loughlin and ANOther as the back row.

[John Drake]

 

What a great picture!

[Bedford Roughyed]

Given the 23 man squad is going to consist of 6 props, 5 backrowers, 2 hookers and 10 backs I think there is room, and they will be there on merit. S. Burgess will prob not be classed as a prop.

WC Props

G. Burgess

T. Burgess

L. Burgess

J. Graham

E. Crabtree

L. Mossop

With Sam as cover would be a great forward line up and I can't think of anyone who would be an automatic selection ahead of these boys. This leaves Sam, Ellis, westwood, O'Loughlin and ANOther as the back row.

I wouldn't be too upset if we picked that pack.  Roby and Houghton at hooker and I'd be happy, very happy...!

[RSN]

Given the 23 man squad is going to consist of 6 props, 5 backrowers, 2 hookers and 10 backs I think there is room, and they will be there on merit. S. Burgess will prob not be classed as a prop.

WC Props

G. Burgess

T. Burgess

L. Burgess

J. Graham

E. Crabtree

L. Mossop

With Sam as cover would be a great forward line up and I can't think of anyone who would be an automatic selection ahead of these boys. This leaves Sam, Ellis, westwood, O'Loughlin and ANOther as the back row.

Common sense selections there, although I still don't think Gareth Ellis has earned his selection yet. The final backrow place would realistically be between Hock, Kirmond, Heighington, Farrell, Ferres.

I'd go Hock for the opener as an impact sub. If he blows it then just drop him from the side for the rest of the tournament. I'd then bring in Kirmond instead who fully deserves selection.

[EastLondonMike]

Just seen the premier sports clip from the Tigers game, with all four Burgess boys on the pitch.. absolutely fantastic to watch. You could feel the pride the four of them had when they wound up for the 'Burgess' set.. if you got all four on the pitch in an England Jersey they'd run through brick walls.

 

For the PR opportunity alone all four have to be in the England squad, even if Tom and Luke end up being purely squad members, but even if they were in i don't think the'yd let anyone down.

[Guest]

Given the 23 man squad is going to consist of 6 props, 5 backrowers, 2 hookers and 10 backs I think there is room, and they will be there on merit. S. Burgess will prob not be classed as a prop.

WC Props

G. Burgess

T. Burgess

L. Burgess

J. Graham

E. Crabtree

L. Mossop

With Sam as cover would be a great forward line up and I can't think of anyone who would be an automatic selection ahead of these boys. This leaves Sam, Ellis, westwood, O'Loughlin and ANOther as the back row.

Throw in Gareth hock for the last forward place and maybe choose Ellis or Farrell depending on form and that's a pretty awesome squad of forwards. Roby(lunt if not fully fit)and Houghton as the number 9's also.

[bedlam breakout]

nice story- unfortuanatley this is the age of the  interchange so no history has been made , also sam hasn't done the business against the aussies or kiwis in ages cos he always gets injured and the other 3 wont get baby sat by the nrl in the wc so don't bother.

[ckn]

A very good bit on Channel 5 news just now with nothing but positivity on this

[Scubby]

nice story- unfortuanatley this is the age of the  interchange so no history has been made , also sam hasn't done the business against the aussies or kiwis in ages cos he always gets injured and the other 3 wont get baby sat by the nrl in the wc so don't bother.

 

All 4 were on the pitch for the last few minutes for the Bunnies today. So history was made. Sam has scored 3 tries in his last 2 games against the Aussies. It's a no-brainer to have him in there. George Burgess is right at the top of the NRL stats. He has 6 tries himself this year. HTH

[BroncoFan]

England should pick 6 props in the WC squad

 

James Graham

Chris Hill

Eorl Crabtree

George B

Tom B

Luke B or Alex Walmsley 

[Adelaide Tiger]

All week the Sports news shows and RL shows have spoke about this, never mind the media columns. Its been massively hyped and it has been great to watch.

I put the TV on about 10 minutes before kick off and there was Gus Gould doing a pre recorded interview with all 4 of them. All 4 appear made for TV with their relaxed style and not one 'you know' uttered. They spoke about their upbringing, their parents, how they always wanted to play in the same team. They each came across as genuine lads who are level headed. The interview must have lasted 7-8 minutes.

Julie Burgess's celebration when Luke scored was great TV. What was also fantastic to see was to see her being escorted across the pitch at the end by Freddy Fittler whilst being interviewed by him. Then all 5 git together to celebrate on the oitch whilst being interviewed together. Top stuff.

[faz'_nose]

Perhaps I'm getting 'carried away' but it's reached a point where I'd put all four of them in the England squad. James Graham and these four monsters, added to the mid-season squad, offer more than a little bit of extra fire power. Graham and George are particularly highly regarded and many (not all) regard Sam as the best forward in the game. Additionally, Widdop is allegedly closing in on match fitness too.

[South Wakefield Sharks]

Perhaps I'm getting 'carried away' but it's reached a point where I'd put all four of them in the England squad. James Graham and these four monsters, added to the mid-season squad, offer more than a little bit of extra fire power. Graham and George are particularly highly regarded and many (not all) regard Sam as the best forward in the game. Additionally, Widdop is allegedly closing in on match fitness too.

Not sure all of them deserve to be in the England squad, but they certainly add a by of competition to the squad and we should certainly have a great pack for the World Cup, if we avoid any serious injuries between now and then.

[faz'_nose]

Not sure all of them deserve to be in the England squad, but they certainly add a by of competition to the squad and we should certainly have a great pack for the World Cup, if we avoid any serious injuries between now and then.

I appreciate your point, assuming that you're referring to Luke and (perhaps) Tom. As you say, they add competition - at the very least.

[bobbruce]

Given the 23 man squad is going to consist of 6 props, 5 backrowers, 2 hookers and 10 backs I think there is room, and they will be there on merit. S. Burgess will prob not be classed as a prop.

WC Props

G. Burgess

T. Burgess

L. Burgess

J. Graham

E. Crabtree

L. Mossop

With Sam as cover would be a great forward line up and I can't think of anyone who would be an automatic selection ahead of these boys. This leaves Sam, Ellis, westwood, O'Loughlin and ANOther as the back row.

Sam and George should be nailed on I would take a gamble on Tom for his impact. Don't think Luke is good enough I would go with Hill to take his spot.

[Harrigan]

What you have to remember about Luke is that he's been injured for pretty much 3 of the last 4 years and is, what, 4 games back into his NRL career? He's been getting better week in week. Lets see how he's progressed over the next month and talk about him then.

On the same note, when Tom came into the team he looked solid if unspectacular. Now he's having a similar impact to George when he takes the ball up. It may be a season too early but jeez, these 2 are going to carry that South (and the Test) pack for years to come.

[boxhead]

The Burgess boys have done well, there is no doubt about that.

I am not sure if their achievements in the NRL make them certainties for the English Test team? I do not see enough of SL to have an informed view.

Beating Club sides it one thing, even if that Club side has a Test Prop in their pack.

It is not the same as beating a Test pack with the best of the best representing their nation in a Test game.

Its looking good for England for the World Cup.

I fear the backs are not quite good enough and the generals of the team in the Halves are not anywhere near good enough or balanced to make the team deliver its potential.

You need 2/3 to win IMO.

Better Forwards

Better Halves

Better outside Backs.

England may have the Forwards but as the saying goes "Forwards win games" that has not been seen recently. Englands Pack has been touted as the best in the game for a decade (in England)

Either Forwards do not win games or they have not been as good as imagined.

 

Top class Halfbacks win more games IMO, they get the best from a team and deliver what is needed to get a result.

Edited September 2, 2013 by AndyCapp

[christopher]

Love how people on here bang on about picking form players for England in one breath then say Luke Burgess should be picked just because ge plays in the NRL. He's been injured for most of the season, only just got back in the side and TBH we have far better options at prop than him.

Sam and George should be the only Burgesses in the England squad.

[Dave T]

The Burgess boys have done well, there is no doubt about that.

I am not sure if their achievements in the NRL make them certainties for the English Test team? I do not see enough of SL to have an informed view.

Beating Club sides it one thing, even if that Club side has a Test Prop in their pack.

It is not the same as beating a Test pack with the best of the best representing their nation in a Test game.

Its looking good for England for the World Cup.

I fear the backs are not quite good enough and the generals of the team in the Halves are not anywhere near good enough or balanced to make the team deliver its potential.

You need 2/3 to win IMO.

Better Forwards

Better Halves

Better outside Backs.

England may have the Forwards but as the saying goes "Forwards win games" that has not been seen recently. Englands Pack has been touted as the best in the game for a decade (in England)

Either Forwards do not win games or they have not been as good as imagined.

 

Top class Halfbacks win more games IMO, they get the best from a team and deliver what is needed to get a result.

Aye, can't really disagree.

 

I don't doubt that our team is not as good as the Aussie team, but what we do need to do is have the confidence and composure to know that in a one-off game anything can happen. The Kiwis have proven on a couple of occasions that put the Aussies under pressure and they can absolutely make mistakes.

[Guest]

Love how people on here bang on about picking form players for England in one breath then say Luke Burgess should be picked just because ge plays in the NRL. He's been injured for most of the season, only just got back in the side and TBH we have far better options at prop than him.

Sam and George should be the only Burgesses in the England squad.

 

They should all be in if they finish the season and playoffs strongly.