South Sydney’s Sam Burgess will be focused on better discipline based on Wayne Bennett’s advice

SAM Burgess says he has taken ownership of the criticism he copped from Wayne Bennett at last year’s Four Nations that the fiery Englishman needs to clean up his game.

Sam Burgess during the South Sydney Rabbitohs training at Redfern Oval. Picture. Phil Hillyard

SAM Burgess says he has taken ownership of the criticism he copped from Wayne Bennett at last year’s Four Nations that the fiery Englishman needs to clean up his game.

One of the most penalised players in the NRL, the South Sydney enforcer declared ahead of Sunday’s Charity Shield showdown with St George Illawarra that Bennett’s comments were “warranted” and admitted: “I have to get better with that sort of stuff.”

Bennett delivered a not so subtle spray at his England captain after Burgess gave up two crucial first half penalties in the 38-16 loss to Australia.

“Sam gives away far too many penalties — I’ll be quite candid with you,” Bennett told the media. “He does that at South Sydney as well so he needs to change his behaviour.”

Burgess knows Wayne Bennett’s criticism of his discipline was warranted. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Fox Sports Stats back that up, with Burgess the equal sixth most penalised player in the NRL last year — giving up 20 penalties in 23 games.

Burgess was also the fifth most penalised player in 2014 before his switch to rugby union.

There was some talk over the summer about a supposed rift between the England coach and captain but Burgess was adamant that wasn’t the case.

“Everyone is asking me that,” Burgess told The Daily Telegraph.

“He has every right to speak to me like that, he is the coach, that is the game. I spoke to Wayne a few days ago. We have a lot of respect for each other. He is a great coach. It warranted it.

“I gave away a couple in that game before halftime. Even if I didn’t agree with them, it is still a penalty. That is the way it is. I have to get better with that sort of stuff and Wayne knows that.

Burgess played under the tutelage of Wayne Bennett at the Four Nations last year.

“Wayne told me straight away after the game. Inside he told me straight on the nose, ‘mate, you can’t do that’. Then it is said somewhere else (there is an issue) and it is just taken a little bit differently. It’s no big deal.”

There is no question Bennett has enormous respect for Burgess and that was highlighted when he named him as England captain.

Burgess said he was looking forward to Sunday’s Charity Shield and hopes it kicks off a big year for the Rabbitohs who missed the top eight last year.

Even though he was the Rabbitohs’ best forward in 2016, Burgess said he felt in a lot better shape than this time last year when he missed a big chunk of the pre-season following his return from rugby union and his wedding.

“Certainly I have got a lot to work on in my game from last year,” he said.

“I will give myself a better opportunity moving into the season fitter than I moved into last season. I didn’t have any (pre-season) really. I am in a better place than last year. It counts for nothing really until you get on the field. I am head down and looking forward to hopefully a good season.”