Burgess not taking Samoa lightly

GeorgeBurgess

Burgess has turned his attention to ending his country's trophy drought after helping South Sydney Rabbitohs win the NRL premiership title for the first time in 43 years by beating Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the Grand Final earlier this month.

England missed out on a place in the World Cup final on home soil with a heartbreaking defeat against New Zealand at Wembley last November.

Prop Burgess is eager to inspire Steve McNamara's men to a shock triumph in Australia and New Zealand on the back of his success at club level.

"It's a great experience, winning a grand final and to do it for a club like South Sydney was unbelievable," Burgess said.

"But I'm here now in England camp and definitely focused on this job and trying to bring a bit of glory back to England."

McNamara's side kick off the tournament with a clash against outsiders Samoa in Brisbane, with Australia and New Zealand meeting at the same venue later in the day.

Not since 1975 have England won an international tournament and Burgess believes it is all to play for.

"I think the competition is wide open and anyone can win it, Samoa included. You've just got to take each game one at a time and not underestimate anyone or overestimate anyone." he said.

"Any team on its day is going to be tough to beat so you've got to stick to what you do best."

James Graham will captain England in the absence of Sean O'Loughlin, who is ruled out due to a quad strain sustained in Wigan Warriors' Super League Grand Final defeat against St Helens.

Joe Westerman replaces O'Loughlin in a 17-man squad, while Matty Smith, Josh Hodgson and Daryl Clark are also set to make their debuts.

Samoa's preparation for the tournament has been overshadowed by three of their players being suspended amid allegations that they were involved in a nightclub brawl last weekend.

Coach Matt Parish has left Bulldogs forward Reni Maitua, North Queensland Cowboys centre Tautau Moga and Wests Tigers back-rower Sauaso Sue out of his squad for Saturday's game while an NRL review into the matter is ongoing.

Parish said: "Personally, I'm very [disappointed] but that's what rugby league is about, you get your ups and downs and you have to move on,

"You can't change what's happened, it's how you to react to it.

"The group has reacted very positively. We have a mammoth task on Saturday and we've trained well."

Canterbury centre Tim Lafai is unavailable due to his wedding, but will link up with the squad ahead of their clash with New Zealand the following weekend.

Author(s)