George Burgess
Personal information
Born (1992-04-21) 21 April 1992
Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England
Playing information
Height194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight120 kg (18 st 13 lb)
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012–19 South Sydney 149 13 0 0 52
2020–21 Wigan Warriors 8 1 0 0 4
2022 St. George Illawarra 4 0 0 0 0
Total 161 14 0 0 56
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012 England Knights 2 2 0 0 8
2013–18 England 15 2 0 0 8
Source: [1][2][3]

George Burgess (born 21 April 1992) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a prop for the Cairns Brothers in the Cairns District Rugby League.

He previously played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs with whom he won the 2014 NRL Grand Final, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Super League and for the England Knights and England at international level.

Background

Burgess was born on 21 April 1992 in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. His father, Mark Burgess who died of Motor neurone disease, was also a rugby league footballer who played for Nottingham City, Rochdale Hornets, Dewsbury and Hunslet;[4] while his mother, Julie, is a teacher, currently employed at The Scots College in Bellevue Hill, Sydney.[5] His eldest brother Luke, middle brother Sam, and elder twin brother Tom, are all professional rugby league footballers as well.[6] Burgess attended Castle Hall Academy to receive a secondary education before becoming a professional rugby league footballer.

His twin brother Tom Burgess, and older brothers Sam Burgess and Luke Burgess are also professional rugby league players where they all played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[1][2][3]

He was married to Joanna King for many years. They split up in May 2023.[7]

In 2023 he played a minor role of a bouncer in the Aussie Christmas film Christmess.[8]

Early career

George represented England against the Australian Schoolboys in 2010 while playing lower grades and training with the full squad of the Bradford Bulls. On 1 January 2011 George was signed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs to play in the National Youth Competition and NRL in the future.[9]

Club career

2012

In Round 13 of the 2012 NRL season, Burgess made his NRL début for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs off the interchange bench in the Rabbitohs 23–18 loss at ANZ Stadium.[10] Burgess played 3 matches for South Sydney in his début year in the NRL in the 2012 NRL season.

2013

In the 2013 NRL season Round 1 season opening match against the Sydney Roosters, Burgess scored his first NRL career try in South Sydney's 28–10 win at SFS.[11] After South Sydney's 30–24 victory over the Gold Coast Titans at Barlow Park in Cairns in Round 14,[12] Burgess was stood down three weeks for smashing a car window with a street sign in Cairns,[13] In June 2013, a naked leaked selfie of Burgess was posted on social media.[14] In August 2013, in Round 25 against the Wests Tigers the Burgess brothers became the first set of four brothers to line up in the same Australian side since Ray, Roy, Rex and Bernard Norman played for Sydney's Annandale club in the 1910 NSWRFL season.[15] The brothers played in the Rabbitohs 32–18 win at SFS.[16] Burgess finished South Sydney's 2013 NRL season with him playing in 24 matches and scoring seven tries. On 1 October 2013, Burgess was named the 2013 Dally M Rookie of Year capping of a stellar year for the South Sydney club.[17]

2014

On 5 October 2014, in South Sydney's 2014 NRL Grand Final against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Burgess played at prop and scored an incredible try in South Sydney's 30–6 victory, alongside his brothers Thomas and Sam Burgess.[18][19] Burgess finished off his solid year with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 2014 NRL season with him playing 23 matches and scoring three tries.

2015

On 23 January 2015, Burgess was named in the South Sydney Rabbitohs tournament winning 2015 NRL Auckland Nines squad.[20] On 23 February 2015, Burgess played for South Sydney in the 2015 World Club Challenge match against 2014 Super League Grand Final premiers St. Helens, playing at prop and received the Man of the Match award in Souths 39–0 win at Langtree Park.[21] In Round 26 against the Sydney Roosters, Burgess was placed on a contrary conduct charge after he threw a water bottle at Roosters forward Kane Evans as he was walking off the field to the sideline; Burgess was sitting on the interchange bench at the time of the incident in South Sydney's 30–0 loss at Sydney Football Stadium.[22] Later on 10 September 2015, Burgess was unsuccessful in his downgrade bid at the NRL Judiciary and received a two match suspension.[23] South Sydney later bowed out the Finals race after getting beaten 28–12 by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Week 1 of the 2015 NRL Finals series.[24] Burgess finished the 2015 NRL season with him playing in 24 matches and scoring one try for the South Sydney club.

2016

Burgess finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 17 matches for the South Sydney club.[25]

2017

In March 2017, days before the Rabbitohs season opening match against the Wests Tigers, Burgess was dropped from the team and was sent to play for North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup after he failed to impress coach Michael Maguire in the pre-season trial matches and was outshone by the likes of youngster Zane Musgrove to the starting front-row position. Maguire gave Burgess a blunt ultimatum "Fire up or flounder in reserve grade". Maguire also commenting, "It's about performance in this club and he knows the areas that he needs to improve on. "Someone like David Tyrell and Zane Musgrove have excelled in these earlier games. Each week we'll look at who we need to carry and this week we've gone with those two boys."[26]

In Round 3, Burgess was sent to the sin bin and later suspended for three matches after elbowing Newcastle player Mitch Barnett in the face during South Sydney's 24–18 victory.[27] In Round 8 against the Brisbane Broncos, Burgess was put on report for a shoulder charge on Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford during the Rabbitohs 25–24 loss at ANZ Stadium.[28] After facing the NRL judiciary, Burgess copped a four-match suspension which eventually rubbed him out to play for England in their test match against Samoa.[29][30] In Round 15 against the Gold Coast Titans, Burgess played his 100th NRL career match in the Rabbitohs 36–20 win at ANZ Stadium.[31] Burgess finished the 2017 NRL season with him playing in 18 matches for the Rabbitohs.

On 6 December 2017, Burgess signed an extension contract with Souths keeping him at the club until the end of 2019.[32]

2018

Burgess enjoyed a return to form in 2018 with South Sydney finishing third on the table at the end of the regular season. Burgess made 27 appearances for Souths as the club made it all the way to the preliminary final before being defeated 12-4 by eventual premiers the Sydney Roosters.[33] He underwent surgery on his nose at the end of the season, having only 10% breathing capacity.[34]

2019

Burgess made his first start for Souths in round 4 of the 2019 NRL season against Manly-Warringah which ended in a 13–12 loss. Burgess then played in the next seven games for South Sydney which were all victories and had the club sitting on top of the table after 11 rounds. In round 14 against Wests Tigers, Burgess was placed on report after allegedly attempting to gouge the eyes of Wests player Robbie Farah. Souths would go on to lose the game 14–9 at the new Western Sydney Stadium. After the match, the incident was referred immediately to the match review committee. On 2 July 2019, Burgess was found guilty of the eye gouge on Farah and received a nine match ban from the NRL judiciary. This was the longest such ban imposed for an eye gouge incident in NRL history, partially due to the fact that in the previous year's season, Burgess was guilty of another eye gouging offence.[35]

On 29 July, Burgess signed a three-year deal with the Wigan Warriors on a three-year deal from the Super League XXV season.[36][37]

In the qualifying final against arch rivals the Sydney Roosters, Burgess made his return from a nine match suspension as Souths were defeated 30–6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[38]

Further into 2019, Burgess made his acting debut in the Australian/New Zealand crime thriller Locusts (film) playing a bouncer named Ivan.[39]

2020

Burgess made his debut for Wigan against Warrington in the opening round of the Super League XXV season. Wigan would go on to win the match 16–10.[40][41]

Burgess only made eight appearances, scoring one try, for Wigan before a major hip injury ended his season. In February 2021 the club announced that by mutual consent with Burgess he was being released from his contract and after an operation on his hip scheduled for March 2021 would spend most of the rest of the year undergoing a physical rehabilitation programme.[42]

2021

On 9 August, it was announced that Burgess would be making a return to the NRL and had signed a two-and-a-half year contract with St. George Illawarra.[43]

On 25 August, Burgess was charged with malicious damage by Wollongong Police after an alleged road-side incident. Police alleged that Burgess became involved in a verbal altercation on the 23 August with a 32-year-old man, before he allegedly grabbed the man's phone and threw it on the road. Burgess was ordered to appear at Wollongong Local Court on October 19.[44] On 19 October, Burgess was given a 12-month conditional release order requiring him to be of good behaviour for the next year.[45]

2022

In round 2 of the 2022 NRL season, Burgess made his club debut for St. George Illawarra in their loss to Penrith at Kogarah Oval.[46] On 23 March, it was announced that Burgess had been arrested and charged by NSW Police for allegedly touching a woman sexually without their consent. Burgess was ordered to appear at court on 13 April 2022.[47] On 23 July, Burgess announced he was stepping down from playing and planned to enter a rehabilitation facility to deal with gambling and depression.[48] On 17 October, Burgess was released by St. George Illawarra.[49] Burgess revealed his frustration at coach Anthony Griffin for only allowing him to play four games, noting "there is no point me going back there if the coach doesn’t believe in me".[50] Burgess subsequently announced his retirement citing his ongoing hip injury as the reason on 27 November 2022.[51]

2023

In April, it was announced by Burgess that he had signed for Cairns Brothers in the Cairns district rugby league competition.[52] After winning the local Cairns premiership with Cairns Brothers, Burgess announced that he would be retiring for a second time.[53]

International career

In October 2012, Burgess also played for the England Knights team.

George was selected in England's 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad. Burgess featured in the 15–14 friendly loss to Italy. In England's first pool match against Australia, Burgess scored his first international try for England, playing at prop in the 28–20 loss at Millennium Stadium.[54] In the Semi-final match against New Zealand, Burgess late high tackle on Sonny Bill Williams resulted in a penalty that gave New Zealand the field position to steal a late 20–18 victory in the last minute of the game at Wembley Stadium.[55] Burgess received the Rugby League International Federation's Rookie of the Year award for 2013.[56] Burgess played in 5 matches and scored 1 try (4p) in the tournament.

On 6 October 2014, Burgess was selected in the England national rugby league team Final 24-man squad for the Four Nations series.[57] Burgess played in 3 matches in the tournament.

On 10 October 2016, Burgess was selected in the England 24-man squad for the 2016 Four Nations.[58] Burgess played in all 3 matches off the interchange bench of the tournament.

Burgess was not selected in The England squad for the 2017 rugby league world cup held in Australia although his brothers Sam Burgess and Thomas Burgess were selected.[59]

In 2018 he was selected for England against France at the Leigh Sports Village.[60]

On 6 November 2018, Burgess was suspended for four matches after being found guilty of eye gouging Dallin Watene-Zelezniak during England's 20–14 victory over New Zealand. The suspension meant that Burgess would miss the start of the 2019 NRL season.[61]

References

  1. 1 2 "George Burgess". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  2. 1 2 "George Burgess - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 "England International Stats". England Rugby League. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  4. ↑ Irvine, Christopher (26 October 2007). "Sam Burgess inspired by memory of late father". The Times. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  5. ↑ "Meet the magnificent Mrs Burgess". Daily Telegraph. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "Bulls snap up Burgess twins". Halifax Evening Courier. 17 January 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  7. ↑ https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/george-burgess-keeping-active-after-sevenyear-marriage-ends/news-story/e191b5a03257591efa750cf427586584
  8. ↑ "George Burgess". IMDb. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  9. ↑ South Sydney Rabbitohs. "George Burgess signs for Rabbitohs". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  10. ↑ "Dogs snatch thriller over Bunnies". Fox Sports. 2 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Greg Inglis stars for South Sydney Rabbitohs as they prove too strong for Sydney Roosters". News.com.au. 7 March 2013. Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2018 – via Fox Sports.
  12. ↑ Broomhead, Gavin (16 June 2013). "South Sydney Rabbitohs remain top of the NRL ladder after win over Gold Coast Titans in Cairns". Fox Sports. Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  13. ↑ "England forward George Burgess apologises after being arrested and charged with wilful damage". The Daily Telegraph. United Kingdom. 18 June 2013. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  14. ↑ Harris, Amy (5 October 2017). "Nude pics of NRL and South Sydney Rabbitohs star George Burgess end up online". Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Archived from the original on 12 July 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  15. ↑ Baxter, Trevor (30 August 2013). "Rugby league history as FOUR English brothers star for Russell Crowe's side". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  16. ↑ Massoud, Josh (30 August 2013). "South Sydney Rabbitohs leave it late to run down Wests Tigers in Benji Marshall's 200th NRL game". Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  17. ↑ Horne, Ben (2 October 2013). "Rabbitoh's powerhouse George Burgess win the Dally M Rookie of the Year award". Southern Courier. Sydney. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2018 – via Daily Telegraph.
  18. ↑ "We're for Sydney". Daily Telegraph. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  19. ↑ "Rabbitohs Grand Final Player Ratings". National Rugby League. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  20. ↑ "Rabbitohs unveil 2015 nines squad". Rugby League Week. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Bunnies thrash Saints to complete sweep". Fox Sports. 22 February 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  22. ↑ Carayannis, Michael (7 September 2015). "South Sydney Rabbitohs George Burgess set to be banned after bottle throwing charge". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  23. ↑ "We're for Sydney". Daily Telegraph. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  24. ↑ Brady, Jack (13 September 2015). "Sharks end Rabbitohs' title defence". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  25. ↑ "South Sydney prop George Burgess talks the hellish season 2016 that nearly broke him". www.foxsports.com.au. 6 February 2017.
  26. ↑ "South Sydney Rabbitohs light fire under George Burgess, telling him to fire up or play reserve grade". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australian Associated Press. 2 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  27. ↑ "Giant problem with George Burgess's impending suspension". News.com.au. Australian Associated Press. 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  28. ↑ Arnold, Rikki-Lee (22 April 2017). "George Burgess hit with grade two shoulder charge citation for shot on Anthony Milford". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018 – via The Courier-Mail.
  29. ↑ Encarnacion, Matt (24 April 2017). "South Sydney's George Burgess hit with four-game NRL ban over shoulder charge". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  30. ↑ "How Pom Test could help Souths". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  31. ↑ "Burgess seeks some reserves". The Australian. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  32. ↑ Ryan, Nathan (6 December 2017). "NRL Market Watch: Souths' Burgess signing drive, Alex Walmsley price, Dylan Napa latest". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  33. ↑ Dransfield, Mitch (16 October 2018). "South Sydney Season Review". Nothing But League. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  34. ↑ Stanton, Tanisha (21 September 2018). "George Burgess battling on with 10% breathing capacity". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  35. ↑ "Souths defend George Burgess's reputation after nine-game NRL ban for eye gouge". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  36. ↑ "George Burgess: Wigan Warriors sign South Sydney Rabbitohs forward". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 July 2019. Archived from the original on 28 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  37. ↑ Walsh, Dan (29 July 2019). "George Burgess signs with Wigan". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  38. ↑ "Roosters burst out of blocks to blow away Rabbitohs in NRL finals opener". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 13 September 2019. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  39. ↑ "NRL player makes film debut on Coast". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  40. ↑ "Super League: Wigan Warriors 16-10 Warrington Wolves - Wire have Hill sent off early on". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  41. ↑ Burgess poleaxed on debut. Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  42. ↑ "George Burgess leaves Wigan". Total Rugby League. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  43. ↑ "George Burgess returns to Australia joining NRL side St George Illawarra Dragons". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 August 2021. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  44. ↑ Cole, Hamish (26 August 2021). "St George Illawarra recruit George Burgess charged with malicious damage". ABC News. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  45. ↑ Parkes-Hupton, Heath (19 October 2021). "NRL star George Burgess escapes conviction for damaging phone in roadside altercation". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021 – via NCA Newswire.
  46. ↑ "Sydney Roosters score convincing 26-12 NRL win over Manly after Penrith defeats St George Illawarra 20-16". ABC News. Australian Associated Press. 18 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  47. ↑ Cosenza, Emily (23 March 2022). "NRL star George Burgess' wife posted cryptic picture after husband's sex touch charge was laid". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  48. ↑ "From a stellar rugby league career to rehab: Struggling footy star's troubles laid bare". www.theaustralian.com.au.
  49. ↑ "Dragons release Burgess, sign Tigers star in pack shake-up: Transfer Centre". www.foxsports.com.au. 24 October 2022.
  50. ↑ "'No loyalty and honour': Dragons legend shreds club as Burgess reveals Griffin rift". www.foxsports.com.au. 17 October 2022.
  51. ↑ "George Burgess announcement rocks NRL fans: 'Heartbreaking'". nz.news.yahoo.com. 27 November 2022.
  52. ↑ "Ex-Wigan Warriors and South Sydney Rabbitohs forward George Burgess finds new club". www.totalrl.com. 17 May 2023.
  53. ↑ "Ex-Super League and NRL star George Burgess quits rugby league to take up surprising new career change". www.totalrl.com.
  54. ↑ "Australia down gallant England in rugby league World Cup opener". Fox Sports. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  55. ↑ "We're for Sydney | Daily Telegraph". M.dailytelegraph.com.au. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  56. ↑ "Awards". Rugby League International Federation. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  57. ↑ "England name 2014 Four Nations squad". Rugby League Week. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  58. ↑ Walsh, Dan (16 October 2016). "Four Nations 2016: Wayne Bennett's England squad". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  59. ↑ Laybourn, Ian (9 October 2017). "England leave George Burgess out of Rugby League World Cup squad". The Sydney Morning Herald. Manchester. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  60. ↑ Jolly, Richard (17 October 2018). "Tom Johnstone marks debut with England hat-trick against France". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  61. ↑ "England forward George Burgess given four-match ban for eye-gouging". Sky Sports. 6 November 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
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