Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies believe Sam Burgess an asset for England

MUCH of the UK remains torn over Sam Burgess’ place in England’s World Cup squad but one group has no doubts about his ability to perform on the big stage: the Wallabies.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Sam Burgess of England gives the thumbs up during the QBE International match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on August 15, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

MUCH of the United Kingdom remains torn on the selection of Sam Burgess in England’s Rugby World Cup squad and whether the former Rabbitoh star will prove an asset or liability for the host nation at centre.

But as far as England’s main rival in the pool of death goes, there is no real question mark attached to picking a big-game player like Burgess for a World Cup.

“I am sure he will be a difference for England at some stage of the competition,” Wallabies utility back Kurtley Beale said on Friday.

EXPERIENCE: numbers that excite greybeard Wallabies

BONUS: Pocock and Beale re-sign with ARU

UK VIEW: Burgess, Lancaster’s biggest gamble

Kurtley Beale believes Sam Burgess will thrive on the big stage.

“He has been in pressure situations before. He has been at a World Cup in rugby league and played in some big games there against some of the world’s best in their game. He understands what is required.”

Beale, a noted rugby league devotee, is one of many in the Wallabies squad who had huge respect for Burgess. Coach Michael Cheika even sat down several times for coffee and advice with the hard-edge Englishman when he was tossing up last year whether he’d make the jump to rugby.

That code-switch happened for Burgess just ten months ago, and the “will he, won’t he?” debate about whether the 26-year-old would make England’s squad in the unfamiliar role of centre has raged in the UK.

After making his Test debut at no. 12 against France two weeks ago, respected voices like Will Carling and Brian O’Driscoll declared Burgess as not ready to play at the World Cup.

But Beale pointed to the events of 11 months ago — just prior to Burgess’ switch — as evidence of why he could handle the World Cup pressure cooker.

“Obviously he is a great athlete, isn’t he?” Beale said.

“He achieved a lot of things in rugby league and bringing the (NRL) trophy back to Redfern after so many years was a great achievement, and he played an integral part of that.

“He is obviously a great athlete and I am sure there will be a lot of advantages there for the England guys to be able to get around him.

“I am not doubting that he will go out there and give it his all.”

England coach Stuart Lancaster opted for Burgess over more experienced Bath teammate Luther Burrell, but said it was not a gamble.

“I wouldn’t describe it as a gamble. I understand the size of this decision, but I understand the size of every decision when you’re in a World Cup year. Every one is a big one,” Lancaster said.

“He [Burgess] has done great. He’s earned the right. He’s picked on merit from what we’ve seen in the camp.

Sam Burgess during his debut for England.

“To win at this level, you need physicality, ballplayers and finishers. Sam certainly brings the physicality, at 116kgs, and is quicker as any of our centres, except for Jonathan Joseph, and certainly as quick as Luther.

“He is powerful and understands and reads defences very well.”

“He is a very aggressive tackler but one of his main attributes that goes unnoticed is that he runs effective lines, even when he doesn’t get the ball. It is that threat at the line, and the ability to change the line, that has put him in the picture.”

Rookie Henry Slade also won a spot in the centres but it appears Burgess will be a back-up option, in any case.

Jonathan Joseph and Brad Barritt appear to be England’s first-choice centres.

Ben Morgan beat Nick Easter for a backrow spot despite having only played 40 minutes of rugby this year due to a broken leg.

Former Rebels no. 10 Danny Cipriani also failed to make the final squad.

ENGLAND’S RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD

BACKS: Mike Brown, Alex Goode, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson; Brad Barritt, Sam Burgess, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade; Owen Farrell, George Ford; Danny Care, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Youngs

FORWARDS: James Haskell, Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw (capt), Billy Vunipola, Tom Wood; George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling; Kieran Brookes, Dan Cole, Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson; Jamie George, Rob Webber, Tom Young

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies believe Sam Burgess an asset for England