Sam Burgess: ‘Mum wants Jana Pittman to win SAS more than me’

Sam Burgess might be the frontrunner to win SAS Australia, but his mum Julie would prefer he didn’t. Here’s why.

Sam Burgess might be the frontrunner to win the current season of SAS Australia, but there’s at least one person who would prefer he didn’t. That would be his mother, Julie.

Speaking to Stellar On Friday from Thailand – where he’s spending time with good friend Russell Crowe on a film set – Burgess reveals the matriarch of his family actually wants his fellow recruit Jana Pittman to take out the title on the Seven Network hit.

“My mum absolutely loves her. She wants her to win the show more than me,” he

says, adding that he was also impressed by the performance of the former track athlete, who’s now a medical doctor.

“Jana is one of the most amazing women I’ve met in my life,” he adds.

“I don’t say that lightly. She’s phenomenal. You know her achievements as an athlete and academically, as well as raising her family. And you can see on the show that she’s so compassionate. And she’s very competitive. I got on extremely well with Jana.”

As the gruelling competition heads into its final week, the former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain is among the last of the show’s 18 recruits.

However, some have questioned the fairness of the 32-year-old sports star’s inclusion in the line-up, considering he took part in army-based training camps during his career with his former club.

“I have been in similar camps,” he admits.

“But that was for two days, not 14. The biggest difference is the camps previously were with 25 professional athletes; the dialogue is probably a bit more direct and the expectation is different. On SAS, it was a diverse group of people from all different backgrounds, with different capabilities. But I really enjoyed that part, trying to make us all come together in our different ways.”

The father of two says he’s been surprised by the response he’s received since he opened up about past mistakes, traumas and addictions in an interview with Stellar in August, as well as on the TV show.

“From my perspective, what people have seen of me in the past is the 80 minutes on the football field, but crazily, I’ve worked out that there are 10,080 minutes a week. The show is showing my real life rather than just the athlete,” he says.

“Being vulnerable is something that I’ve never really held space for, but there’s been a powerful response, which has been really heartwarming.”

Once he returns from Thailand, Burgess will commence work as coach and administrator for the Rugby League team Orara Valley Axemen, based near Coffs Harbour.

“Grassroots is where I started my rugby career so I figured it would be great to start my coaching career there, too, and give back to the community,” he says.

Lisa Wilkinson

Burgess, who was born in West Yorkshire in the UK, harbours dreams of coaching an England team.

“I’m a passionate man about my players and my team. I’m not sure I’ll be as cool and calm as Wayne [Bennett] and I’m not sure I’ll be as vocal as some of the other coaches. I’ll be somewhere in the middle,” he says.

While coaching can be a brutal and turbulent career path, Burgess says it remains something he still prefers to staying on the sidelines. Just last week, he watched his old team play – and lose – in the grand final, with club owner Crowe at his side.

“I was more nervous watching this year than I’ve ever been in any game playing,” he says.

“It’s because I was totally helpless.”

And while he knows his former teammates are no doubt hurting from their loss, he believes they should also hold their heads high.

“My first overwhelming feeling for the team is that I’m really proud of them. Penrith were really good. South Sydney, in true South Sydney style, showed great spirit and courage. They were in the game the whole time.”

Originally published as Sam Burgess: ‘Mum wants Jana Pittman to win SAS more than me’