Sam Burgess questions if player safety fears is the only reason NRL wants to block mid-year Test between England an New Zealand

A FIRED-UP Sam Burgess and Wayne Bennett are adamant England and New Zealand players will stand as one and fight to play the mid-year Test in Denver, Colorado.

Sam Burgess of England is seen in action during the first pool A match of the Rugby League World Cup between Australia and England at AAMI Stadium in Melbourne, Friday, October 27, 2017. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

IF the NRL and the clubs think they have already won the fight to abandon the mid-year Test between England and New Zealand in the United States, they’d better think again.

A fired-up Sam Burgess and Wayne Bennett are adamant England players will stand as one in support of the game scheduled for Denver, Colorado, on the same weekend as State of Origin II.

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And Burgess claims the Kiwis biggest names are also on board.

Burgess and Bennett spoke out to The Daily Telegraph following growing speculation the Rugby League Players Association are now on the verge of signing off on a joint letter this week, along with the NRL and clubs, indicating they would not support the match.

Burgess went as far as to question if there was an agenda to keep Australia at the top of international rugby league by holding other nations back.

Burgess captained England in last year’s World Cup final.

Both he and Bennett also ridiculed suggestions playing at altitude made it a “grave safety concern”.

“The hypocrisy is ridiculous,” Bennett said.

“Every second week NFL clubs allow their players to travel to Denver and play.

“Do you really think NFL would allow it if it was such a dangerous place to play?

“We are finding every excuse in the world not to do it.

“Last year we had 12 players from England fly over for the weekend of the Pacific Test and play and then they returned home and played in the Super League days later.

“I’m telling you, they loved it.”

Burgess added he attended a two-week rugby union training camp in Denver in 2015, so he knows exactly what he is in for.

He even pulled out his mobile phone to quotes statistics to support his argument.

Burgess has questioned the agendas of those opposing the match.

“Ellis Park in (Johannesburg) where they regularly play rugby union Tests is over 200 metres higher than Denver,” Burgess said.

“And the FIFA sanctioned game last year between Bolivia and Brazil was 1000 metres higher than Denver.

“What is the beef?

“Someone has an agenda. Let’s be honest about it.

“Why (won’t they let it go ahead)?

“Because we want to see Australia keep winning? I mean, I just don’t understand the logic.

“We are happy to let (players) play three Origins a year. We are playing in Denver but (injuries) can happen anywhere.

“It is like me saying I am not playing this year because I might get injured.

“There is a risk of injury when you walk across the street. A car might hit you. Do you want us to live in a bubble wrap?”

Asked if he would be strong enough to stand up to his bosses at South Sydney if they said he could not play, Burgess said: “We are all in the same boat.

“I tell you now, you get every player to stand here and we will all say the same thing. Every single player.

Burgess and Bennett have thrown their support behind the match.

“I think there is a lot of false news being thrown about.

“As a England player, I want to play the game.

“I understand my duties to South Sydney and the game and the NRL.

“But I also understand the responsibility we have as senior players within the game and as international representatives to grow the game outside of Australia.

“Listen, there is a comprehensive insurance premium been taken out.

“I know that for a fact.

“All the players want to play. All the Kiwis want to play. All the English boys want to play. It is not just a holiday.

“Players are very strong about growing the international game. No one can stop it really.

“I mean, me, George and Tom, Gareth Widdop, James Graham, Adam Blair, Shaun Johnson … it is a good opportunity.

“I think it is a bit selfish or short sighted (to try and cancel it).”