Sam Burgess, James Maloney charged, set to miss crucial games in run to finals

Sam Burgess can be the best rugby league forward in the world — and he can be one of the most selfish.

Sam Burgess can be the best rugby league forward in the world — and he can be one of the most selfish.

And because of that, the fiery Englishman will now go from hunter to hunted in the countdown to this year’s finals series.

After just one game back from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him since Round 13, Burgess let his teammates down with another brain snap where he allowed his lack of discipline to get the better of him.

He now faces a 1-2 match ban for a grade two careless high tackle that rattled Cronulla fullback Matt Moylan in the fourth minute of Saturday night’s 39-24 loss.

CASUALTY WARD: Weekend injury report

Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs put on report.

If Burgess takes the early guilty plea, he can escape with a one-match ban but will have 91 carry-over points hanging over his head, meaning any minor charge will result in another suspension.

If Burgess fights the charge and loses at the judiciary, he would face a two-match ban and have 55 carry-over points.

Either way, Burgess is in strife because there is no doubt opposition teams will be aiming to get under his skin from here to get a reaction and land him in more trouble.

This charge could not have come at a worse time for the Rabbitohs who are in danger of slipping out of the top four if they lose to Melbourne this Sunday in Gosford, given Canberra beat the Warriors 46-12 in Auckland on Friday, while fifth-placed Manly continued their charge with a 30-6 victory over Newcastle.

If you’re looking for a positive, there’s no doubt Burgess was frustrated by the fact his shoulder was not 100 per cent against the Sharks, and an extra week off gives him more time to heal.

The Rabbitohs will also be without George Burgess who is serving a ban for eye gouging Robbie Farah.

George Burgess eye gouges Robbie Farah.

Everyone in rugby league loves the emotion and courage that Sam plays with but his lack of discipline and regard for the welfare of others is proving to be a liability for his team.

Coach Wayne Bennett was furious at his skipper and made his feelings known at the post match media conference.

On top of copping a potential suspension, Sam pretty much cost his team 10 points during the match after he also rubbed his elbow over Paul Gallen’s face later in the game that resulted in another penalty.

It was a similar situation in Burgess’s most recent game against Newcastle when he copped a charge from the match review committee and was lucky not to be suspended for his part in a fiery altercation that also involved his brother Tom.

Bennett has long been one of Sam’s biggest fans but it hasn’t stopped him calling out his lack of discipline at times.

Wayne Bennett isn’t happy with Sam Burgess.

Three years ago, Bennett sprayed Burgess for giving away too many penalties while playing for England, and the veteran coach didn’t hold back on Saturday night.

“I’m not happy about that,” Bennett said.

“Sam’s been out for a number of weeks and it’s time for him to come back and lead from the front and stay within the rules of the game.

“He’ll have to get that off his conscience.

“It’s not what we needed, there was no reason for it.”

Burgess has a terrible history, having missed 10 games through suspensions since coming into the NRL in 2010.

Bennett said he wants Burgess to play with aggression but he has to do it within the rules.

That is proving easier said than done.

James Maloney is set to miss one game.

Meanwhile, Penrith playmaker James Maloney is poised to miss next weekend’s big clash with Cronulla after being slapped with a grade one tripping charge.

Maloney was placed on report after catching Canterbury’s Jeremy Marshall-King in the fourth minute of the Bulldogs’ shock 16-8 win over the Panthers.

With carry-over points added, Maloney would serve a one-game ban even with an early guilty plea and the only way he can face the Sharks is if he successfully beats the charge.