There is nothing, you suspect, that Sam Burgess enjoys more than a challenge. After all, this is a man who stunned rugby league at the peak of his powers three years ago by announcing he would be leaving South Sydney to switch codes, return to England and join Bath.
Burgess’s motivation was clear. With only a year to get accustomed to the rigours of union, he wanted to become a dual-code international and play for England in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Irrespective of what happened in that tournament – and, rightly or wrongly, the debate still rages over how he performed as England failed to make the knockout stage – the box was ultimately ticked, and Burgess moved on, back to Australia and the 13-man code.
Challenges and Burgess seem to go hand in hand. The 28-year-old had his pick of NRL clubs when he was the hottest commodity in the British game aged only 20 but he went for South Sydney; the opportunity to help them become champions for the first time in over 40 years, something he achieved in his final game before heading for union in 2014, was too good to resist.
But this Saturday, there is perhaps the greatest challenge of all awaiting Burgess in Brisbane. It is not difficult to imagine the change in Burgess’s demeanour when he was informed in the hours before kick-off that, following an injury to Sean O’Loughlin, it would be he who will captain England, becoming the first Englishman to lead his country in a World Cup final since Denis Betts – the current assistant coach – in 1995.
While Burgess will have undoubtedly been dejected to see a player of O’Loughlin’s ability miss out, the opportunity to become captain should bring an extra level from him that his country requires more than ever at the Brisbane Stadium. The glint in his eyes will surely be all too evident come Saturday – with the biggest prize of all only 80 minutes away.
The anticipation was there when he spoke on Friday. “If you ask an eight-year-old if they would want to captain their country in a World Cup final, I guarantee every kid playing rugby league in England would say ‘yes’ and I’m no different,” he said. “I used to love watching international rugby. We’ve got an unbelievable opportunity to do something pretty special. We’re still one job off doing what we came here to do.”
Asked if he will end this tournament with fonder memories than the last in union, he said: “You reckon? We got out of the group stages which does help.”
Burgess himself did not see much of the group stage here and has not yet hit the heights many – including himself – expected at this World Cup: he was injured in the opening game against the Kangaroos and forced to sit out the remainder of the group matches, and had to deal with a positional change to the back row – he plays his club rugby with Souths at prop.
But the best players often produce the most supreme performances in the biggest games and Burgess has a fair old track record of doing that. In 2007, during New Zealand’s tour of Great Britain, a bushy-haired teenager introduced himself to the world with some gusto; scoring tries, breaking lines and knocking down well-established international front-rowers such as Fuifui Moimoi.
In the 2014 NRL Grand Final, despite suffering a broken cheekbone at the hands of his England team-mate James Graham in the first tackle of the game, Burgess produced an 80-minute masterclass to inspire Souths to a first Premiership in 43 years. Even four years ago, when England needed something magical to beat the Kiwis in the semi-finals of the 2013 World Cup, Burgess was phenomenal – though that day, it proved to be in vain. England will hope to avoid a repeat in Brisbane.
Given his time in the 15-man code and his profile in the sporting world, Burgess’s name resonates beyond rugby league circles more easily than most. To that end, there will be plenty of eyes fixed on his own individual performance on Saturday. The spotlight, pressure and hopes of a nation are now lodged firmly on his shoulders as he leads his country into battle.
Australia are unlikely to change their plans for him; Mal Meninga and the Kangaroos will be well aware what Burgess is capable of in a big game. He will have been one of the main focal points of the Kangaroos’ prep as they hunt an 11th World Cup title – his importance, however, has now taken on extra significance given news of O’Loughlin’s absence.
There has been talk this week of Saturday being the final step on a redemption mission for Burgess following the events of two years ago. Most in rugby league know that Burgess has no need for redemption, however – and as captain, the script is now set up perfectly for him. England expects and Burgess probably would not have it any other way.
