NRL 2021: Secret behind Tom Burgess’ Rabbitohs run

While twin brother George has battled chronic injury, Tom Burgess hasn’t missed a game for Souths in the past two seasons — and there’s an explanation as to why.

Tom Burgess has credited yoga to his recent run of form.

It is a tale of two twins when it comes to George and Thomas Burgess and injuries.

George’s English Super League stint with Wigan was cut short by a chronic hip injury which required revolutionary surgery, but he is recovering and will make a comeback with the Dragons next season.

The hip resurfacing procedure meant he had to learn to walk again.

Tom, on the other hand, credits his dedication to yoga and the help of extreme athlete Wim “The Iceman” Hof for helping him play every single game for Souths in the past two seasons.

“It was a constant thing,” Tom said of George’s hip problem.

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Tom Burgess has credited yoga to his run of form for South Sydney. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“He had a labral tear early on in his career and he had an operation. We both have tight hips, mechanically, we are similar as twins, but I managed to keep it (OK).

“He went under the knife and since that happened he had a bit of arthritis and growth inside the hip there and it just never got right.

“He couldn’t get the right treatment in England because of Covid. He lost all range in his hip and that’s where the power comes from.

“It can be luck of the draw. I’ve been pretty lucky most of my career. But George has shown great strength to fight back now. The ­operation he had done was very ­invasive. I’m really proud of what he’s done (to get back).”

Tom Burgess celebrates a win for the Rabbitohs.

Hof has built a worldwide cult following for his breathing techniques and exposure to extreme cold. His methods promise improved concentration, immunity and mental health benefits – and they have helped Tom.

“I’ve not missed a game for a few years now,’’ he said.

“Just little things like looking after your body go a long way. One of my mates introduced me to him and he was doing the cold showers, which I thought was interesting. So I started doing that.

“I have always been interested in alternative theories – meditation and mind training – and he covers all that.”

Tom also introduced Hof to some of Australian sport’s most high-profile coaches when the Dutch motivational speaker last visited Australia in December, 2018.

“The guy who introduced me to him got him out to Australia,’’ Tom said.

Wim Hofhas built a worldwide cult following for his breathing techniques and exposure to extreme cold.

“He wanted to do a more ­intimate one with leaders in sport. We managed to get Brad Fittler, Jason Demetriou was there, Michael Cheika, a few people influential in sport, and we had a three-hour sit-down with him.”

Last year was the first time since moving to Australia that Tom had no international commitments for England. It was a chance for the Rabbitohs prop to have an operation to repair an ankle injury.

“Ever since then I have felt really good and my ankle has been great,’’ he said.

“The Wim Hof is good for your recovery, too.”

The Rabbitohs are expected to welcome back star winger Alex Johnston from a hamstring injury for next weekend’s blockbuster against Penrith.

Rabbitohs medical staff are taking their time with Johnston, who was spotted running high-speed drills at training on the Gold Coast this week after suffering the injury in round 18.

“If it was me, I’d probably be back playing because I don’t run as fast as AJ,’’ Tom said. “But they are taking a ­little bit of extra time with him … getting him to that high speed a lot. He will be right for next week.”

Burgess opens up on shock NRL return with Dragons

By Michael Carayannis

George Burgess had to learn how to walk again in a bid to resurrect his career.

Now he’s ready to run out for a shock rugby league comeback against his former club South Sydney and twin brother Tom in the Charity Shield.

Burgess revealed his mental health battles as he weighed up walking away from the game because of his badly damaged hip.

Just 29 years old, Burgess decided to give it one last crack and on Monday signed a two-year deal with St George Illawarra.

While Burgess is not officially a Dragon until November, he has already started working with the club’s medical staff up to five days a week.

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George Burgess during a training session for the Rabbitohs in 2019.

Burgess has relocated his young family to Wollongong after enduring 14 days in hotel quarantine. He is now three-and-a-half months on from the revolutionary hip resurfacing surgery which left him on crutches for 12 weeks after cutting short his stint at Wigan.

Respected NRL physio Brien Seeney said there were no documented cases in professional rugby league of a player returning from hip resurfacing surgery. Tennis star Andy Murray and rugby international Sean O’Brien have also undergone the surgery in recent years.

“I’ve had to learn how to walk normally again,” Burgess told The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s a whole new metal hip. The pain has changed massively already.

“I’ve carried the pain for 10 years and had some good and bad years managing it. With the chronic pain that I had, I was becoming very unhappy. Even to the point I was a bit depressed with life, being injured and in pain all the time.

“Since having surgery I’ve felt better mentally. Last year it was pretty bad. It was tough being away from family in lockdown not knowing (what my future held) and not having regular treatment. It deteriorated. I found myself struggling a bit with it, not knowing where to turn.

“I didn’t want to retire. I just thought I want to give it another crack. There was a point last year where I thought I might be forced into retirement.”

George Burgess's stint with Wigan was cut short by injury.

Burgess also battled Covid-19 earlier this year. He had surgery four weeks ago to remove the screws in his hip before flying to Australia and completing hotel quarantine with his young family.

Burgess reached out to St George Illawarra assistant coach Peter Gentle at the end of May. The pair knew each other from their time at the Rabbitohs and the conversation was enough to spark an interest from both parties.

Eventually Burgess had chats with Dragons coach Anthony Griffin and the club signed off on his contract after consulting his surgeon and medical staff at Wigan.

“I’m quietly confident when I get fit again I can get back to my playing best,” Burgess said. “I feel mentally ready to play again.

“The Dragons were fully behind me and willing to take me on and help me out and get myself back to my best. I’ve always respected the Dragons.

“They are happy with it with the obvious risks and same with me.”

Dragons assistant coach Peter Gentle.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin

The contract is incentivised meaning if Burgess can once again star he will be rewarded financially.

Burgess said he had a fleeting chat with his former club South Sydney but indicated “it wasn’t going to happen with their space on their roster”.

He is hoping to be running by the time the Dragons return to pre-season training in November and has already circled the Charity Shield as a potential date for his comeback where he would square off against Tom.

“The battle of the twins – that will be a good one,” Burgess said. “The Charity Shield is something I’m aiming for. Coming up against Tommy for the first time will be weird. I’m sure it will be good fun. We will get a nice picture afterwards.

“We’ve only played against each other in knee rugby in the lounge room – we broke a few vases.”