Sam Burgess timeline: The rise and fall of South Sydney legend
Sam Burgess’ rise from baby-faced Englishman to rugby league legend has been rocked by shocking allegations levelled at the former NRL star. Here’s how his life unfolded on and off the field in Australia.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sam Burgess landed in Australia from the North of England with something to prove. Five years later the South Sydney legend cemented his NRL legacy with one of the greatest grand final performances in the game’s history.
But he was just as good at grabbing headlines off the field. Here’s is a timeline of Burgess’ career, culminating in the shocking allegations of cover-ups, substance abuse and violence.
Watch the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals on Kayo. Every game before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
South Sydney signs Sam Burgess from English Super League club Bradford.
News Corp Australia exclusively reveals Burgess will quit the Rabbitohs at season’s end to accept a multimillion-dollar offer to play rugby union, despite being contracted to Souths until the end of 2016.
Burgess writes himself into rugby league folklore by playing the entire grand final against Canterbury with a fractured cheekbone following a collision with fellow Englishman James Graham on the opening hit-up. The Rabbitohs go on to win 30-6, ending a 42-year premiership drought.
Burgess is annihilated by press for England’s early exit from the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Burgess rejoins South Sydney following a ill-fated stint in English rugby with Bath.
Burgess’ wife-to-be Phoebe Hooke attends hen’s bash at Woolloomooloo’s China Doll.
Rabbitohs stars fly to Melbourne for Sam Burgess’s bucks party.
SAM BURGESS’ RACY TEXT MESSAGE AFFAIR REVEALED
Burgess marries Phoebe Hooke on her parents’ sprawling Southern Highlands estate.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
The young woman at the centre of the South Sydney Rabbitohs naked images scandal emails the club to say she felt “violated and disgusted”.
Burgess is revealed as the player at the centre of the Rabbitohs sexting scandal, with News Corp Australia revealing his verified social media accounts were used in video chats that sparked a young woman’s complaints about lewd behaviour.
Woman at the centre of the Souths sexting scandal speaks to NRL Integrity Unit investigators about exchanges involving Sam Burgess’s social media accounts.
Three years after their lavish Bowral wedding, South Sydney player Sam Burgess and his former journalist wife Phoebe call time on their marriage.
Hollywood actor Russell Crowe provides support to Burgess who a day earlier announced he had split from wife Phoebe. “Russell has always looked after the Burgess boys. They’re like sons to him,” a source said.
JANUARY 6, 2019
Revelations the first cracks between Burgess and Hooke appeared at their 2015 wedding.
In an exclusive interview, Phoebe Burgess opens up about recent events, and confirms where things stand with her marriage to NRL star husband Sam.
Sam and Phoebe Burgess’ marriage is officially over with the couple splitting for the second time. Sources close to the couple telling News Corp “they tried to give it a go but it just didn’t work”.
Burgess holds talks with medical experts and Souths officials as the likelihood grows that the Rabbitohs champion has played his final game.
Burgess is spotted shirtless and partying on a boat in Mexico with his mates following the breakdown of his marriage, recent AVO controversy and career-threatening shoulder injury.
Burgess is forced into medical retirement due to a shoulder injury.
American waitress reveals she is dating Burgess.
Burgess turns back on ‘new flame’ after their liaison became public.
March 2020
Burgess joins fellow retirees Greg Inglis and John Sutton on the Rabbitohs’ coaching staff for 2020.
Sam and Phoebe Burgess’ separation is finalised, with influencer Phoebe to walk away with the lion’s share of their wealth.
Burgess reveals he contemplated a stunning rugby league comeback a year after he was forced into medical retirement.
Police and NRL to investigate stunning allegations of a Rabbitohs club cover-up of substance abuse and violence surrounding Burgess.
Originally published as Sam Burgess timeline: The rise and fall of South Sydney legend
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.