South Sydney skipper Sam Burgess defies rib injury to lead Rabbitohs and prepare for the World Cup

SAM Burgess can’t train until the captain’s run and needs injections to play due to his busted ribs, but the Souths skipper has declared himself a certain starter for England’s World Cup campaign.

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SAM Burgess can’t train until the captain’s run each week and needs needles to play due to his busted ribs, but he has declared himself a certain starter for England’s World Cup campaign.

Burgess is bravely finishing the season for the Rabbitohs despite suffering a rib injury against Cronulla a fortnight ago. He could easily sit out the remainder of the season, but he wants to play to set a strong example for his younger teammates.

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Burgess doesn’t require surgery and has his sights set on representing England at the World Cup in October and November.

South Sydney’s Sam Burgess leaves the field with a rib injury. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ll be fine for the World Cup,” Burgess told The Daily Telegraph. “We are not playing finals, so that will give me a good break. I won’t have a game every week, so contact wise my body will be fresh and ready to roll by the time the World Cup rolls around.”

Pressed on his determination to defy the pain and play on, Burgess said it was his duty as a leader.

“You have a certain responsibility as a senior player at the club to take the field,” he said. “It’s my job to play and go out there and do a job. I’ll always do my best to get out on the field.

“I think the day that stops and you are taking easy options is the probably the day you should call it quits.

Sam Burgess works on his fitness ahead of Thursday’s clash with the Bulldogs. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I just love playing and being out there, especially with a lot of young guys in our team. I love being a part of their journey. You have to be there during the tough times to enjoy the good times.

“We are riding it out and we are learning a lot about each other.”

Burgess may be humble about his heroics, but his teammates can’t praise their skipper enough.

Fullback Alex Johnston says he is continuously amazed by the Englishman’s ability to put aside injury.

“Sam is a tough bastard that is for sure,” Johnston said. “I don’t even know if he can feel pain. He is a freak and a legend and we love him.

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“We know if he gets an injury he will still play, 100 per cent. We know that even if he doesn’t train, he’ll do his best to get out there on the field.”

Souths veteran John Sutton believes Burgess is one of the toughest players in the NRL.

“Sammy is just the ultimate competitor,” he said. “He hasn’t been getting to training, but he still puts his body on the line for us every week. It’s unbelievable.”

Souths will look to claim back-to-back wins when they take on the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.