Sam Burgess takes aim at NRL, describing judiciary as a ‘kangaroo court’
Ahead of his finals return for South Sydney, a fired-up Sam Burgess has taken aim at the NRL, blasting the “crazy” judiciary process and insisting he won’t change his aggressive style of play.
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South Sydney star Sam Burgess has sensationally described the NRL judiciary as a “kangaroo court” and said he would not be altering his aggressive style.
In one of the most explosive interviews of this season, Burgess also said:
● Players should be fined and not suspended for big games over minor offences;
● Those fines should be given to charity or grassroots football;
● He wondered whether the NRL and media were “killing” rugby league;
● A possible suspension for Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at the judiciary on Tuesday night over a trip as “crazy”;
● NRL officials should meet with players to discuss protocol changes.
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Returning this week from a one-match suspension for hair pulling, Burgess was seething during the interview at Redfern Oval, telling print journalists afterwards: “F …, I’ve given you some headlines.”
As a result of his explosive comments, Burgess will be hauled before NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and questioned as to why he should not be handed a breach notice.
I WON’T CHANGE
Burgess was adamant he would not bow to pressure and change his style.
“No, no. Why? It’s me and that’s been my career,” he said. “I’m not being a smart arse, I’m being honest with you.
“I’m not going to change. I don’t really have a response other than no. I will play the way I play and if that’s not good enough for the rules, then I will live with it.
“Maybe you should ask the game (NRL) a couple of questions. What do we all like seeing? I don’t know. Ask the game a couple of questions.
“Everyone says there needs to be an (overhaul) of the judiciary system. Who is making calls here? Is there a discussion before these calls go out there? I don’t know what the process is. It’s like a kangaroo court in there.”
DON’T RUB US OUT
Burgess remains filthy at missing last week’s qualifying final against the Roosters through suspension over a hair pull. He felt it was not worthy of a ban from such a big game.
“Does everyone else not feel that some of this stuff … everyone is trial by media, everything is social media,” Burgess said.
“We are very reactive. We’re a multimillion-dollar game yet we’re ruling out players for big games over things that are … just fine the player.
“Was it bad? Did anyone get injured? Was anyone hurt? Was it silly? Is it part of the game? Was it in the contest? Yeah. All right, then fine the player.
“The players will pay whatever. Give it to charity. Put it into grassroots, do something. But better than making senior players miss big games that we play nine months for.
“I’m done making comment now and we’ll move on because I know there will be a big fuss about it.”
But Burgess wasn’t quite ready to move on.
FINALS ROBBERY
Waerea-Hargreaves fronted the judiciary on Tuesday night on a tripping charge and will miss the clash with either Manly or South Sydney.
“I like the way he plays. I think everyone loves the one he plays. He is going to miss a game for that (a trip)? It’s crazy,” Burgess said.
“But I know how he feels. There has to be some better protocols in place.
“You play all year to get to this time of the year so you don’t want to sit on the sidelines.”
Asked was he holding back, Burgess: “Yes, that’s fair. I would rather talk about it behind closed doors. I’m probably feeling what you’re feeling.”
MAKE CHANGES
Asked should the judiciary process be drastically changed, Burgess said: “I guess the people that lead the game should speak to some of the senior players in the game, instead of talking through the media.
“Let’s talk like men together in a room. Regardless of what I think, they’ve got to make the call. It’s everyone’s game. The fans’ game.
“Everyone is missing out. Anyway, whatever, I don’t want to get dragged into it.”
Asked was there an avenue for he and other players to be heard, he said: “You guys (media) at the minute. There needs to be more of an avenue.”
SOFT IMAGE
Burgess has concerns over the damage being done to the game over what some players think are “lame” suspensions.
“We’re on the cusp of a final series but we haven’t talked much about the game here. You know what I mean?” he said.
“What are we doing? Are we selling the game? Are we killing the game? What do you want to do?
“I want to sell the game but yet we’re talking about all the controversy and negative calls. All right, whatever. Does that sell tickets? I don’t know.”
Asked was he frustrated, Burgess said: “I’m all right. You guys (media) are just poking me now and I’m over it. We all have to move on at some point in our lives with so many different things.
“Today, I will answer your questions and then I move on. The game has gone, the decision has gone, I am free to play. We all have to accept it and move on.”
Burgess — Sea Eagles tailor made for finals football
South Sydney’s Sam Burgess said upset kings Manly showed Cronulla what finals football is all about.
“Complete high, run hard, tackle hard, that’s as complicated as it gets,’’ Burgess said.
Burgess has a healthy opinion of tough Sea Eagles prop Addin Fonua-Blake ahead of Friday semi-final.
“He plays well, he is a good player, a very good player. He leads from the front and is a pretty aggressive player,” Burgess said.
“He is very passionate and he’s leading their forward pack at the moment. Manly has a great forward pack. They are getting (suspended) Marty Taupau back this week.
“They have a cracking, international, State of Origin pack — you name it, they’ve got it. It’s going to be a big job for us. I thought last week, Manly did the simple things well. They carried the ball with intent.
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The Roosters did a number on Souths last week — the 24-point loss a reality check for the Rabbitohs. Burgess said Souths didn’t “throw the towel in.”
“At halftime it was more of a pride thing. It could have been an extremely tough 40 minutes in the second half, depending how we turned up,” he said.
“I thought we played with a bit more energy and spirit and it gave us something to grab hold of. Had it gone the other way, it would be tough to come back from that.
“We didn’t throw the towel in. It’s not great seeing your team perform like that, especially on that stage. But you can only be beaten for so long — you’ve got to move past that feeling.
“We’re still alive, we’re still here. It will turn around at some point. We’ll be all right. We’ve got enough experienced players in there.”
Originally published as Sam Burgess takes aim at NRL, describing judiciary as a ‘kangaroo court’