Sam Burgess played 80 minutes after having only trained once since his release from hospital

THE Daily Telegraph can reveal Sam Burgess punched out 80 minutes on Thursday having completed just one training session after being released from hospital.

THE legend of Sam Burgess continues to grow.

To prove Burgess is the toughest man in rugby league, The Daily Telegraph can reveal the big Englishman punched out 80 minutes for South Sydney on Thursday night having completed just one full training session after being released from St Vincent’s Hospital.

Burgess was cleared of serious neck and spinal damage last Tuesday week, but did not take part in his first serious hitout until Wednesday — eight days later + on the eve of the trip to Brookvale Oval.

He could barely stand at the end of the Bunnies’ 16-12 win, which featured him running for 132m, make 27 tackles and three tackle busts.

“I’ve been fatigued in games, but I was extremely fatigued last night [Thursday], and for some reason I couldn’t fill my lungs,’’ Burgess told The Daily Telegraph.

“I don’t know if I took a whack early on my right side, but there was a lot of shallow breathing.

“I felt confident going into the game. We had made a call and I was comfortable with it. We did a few tests on Wednesday, and I did the full session. I’d spent two days in hospital, laying in a bed, you don’t train for 10 days, I felt it out there.’’

South Sydney Rabbitoh Sam Burgess at Redfern Oval. Picture: Adam Taylor

Burgess is used to playing through the pain and fatigue barrier.

He won the Clive Churchill Medal for Souths in their 2014 grand final triumph, despite breaking his cheekbone in the first minute.

Thursday night may not have been as significant, but it was another example of why Burgess is seen as such an inspiration around Redfern.

Without him, Souths are next to no chance of making it two titles in three years.

Playmaker Luke Keary said of Burgess: “He always has a big impact on the players around him, you know exactly what you’ll get out of him, and he has that aura that makes you want to lift when he’s around.’’

Burgess felt he was nearing peak fitness leading into the Dragons game, only to leave early on the back of a medicab. He knows he’ll be almost at 100 per cent ahead of next Friday’s derby with the Sydney Roosters.

The Sea Eagles’ match was also the first time Sam had been reunited with brothers Tom and George since the 2014 decider.

“Thomas has done well to get back from injury so quickly,’’ Burgess said.

“George is not in the greatest form at the moment, but he understands that, and he’s working hard to get back to where he knows he can play and we know he can play. There’s no better feeling playing with your brothers.

Sam Burgess rests on the field against the Sea Eagles.

As for fellow superstar Greg Inglis, who again appeared to favour one knee, Burgess said: “Greg is a good athlete. But you can’t forget the work Greg has done the last seven years.

“He’s gone full season with Origin into internationals, and it does take its toll on the body. He might have to be smart at times, but Greg puts his hand up every week to get on the field, and he’s a massive part of our team. He’s part of the spine and having his name on the team sheet is great for us. If he’s injured will put hand up, but he’s still doing a good job.’’