Sam Burgess, James Graham to add newest chapter to enthralling rivalry

JAMES Graham and Sam Burgess don’t see what they do on the field as a battle but it sure as hell looks like one. The two Englishmen are mates off field, as they’re quick to tell you whenever the rivalry comes up.

JAMES Graham and Sam Burgess don’t see what they do on the footy field as a battle but it sure as hell looks like one.

The two Englishmen are mates off the field, as they’re quick to tell you whenever the rivalry comes up.

But once they cross that white line, everything changes. An inch is not asked for or given as two of rugby league’s premier forwards do what they always do and leave nothing out there in clashes that have been among the most heated, physical and brutal of recent years.

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Sam Burgess and James Graham have created a brutal on field rivalry.

Burgess has a tank that never seems to empty and Graham plays as though he finds the very idea of taking it easy offensive.

They bring out the best in each other and can be expected to do again in Saturday night’s sudden death final at ANZ Stadium.

“You know you’re playing for 80 minutes with James. He’s a true competitor, and he’ll keep fighting to that last whistle if the team’s down by 20 points or leading by 20 points,” George Burgess told The Daily Telegraph.

Burgess the younger will have a ringside seat to the NRL’s latest Battle of Britain and said the Rabbitohs must be inspired to match Graham’s constant effort and intensity to down the resurgent Dragons and earn a preliminary final berth against the Roosters next weekend.

The England teammates have a good relationship off the field. Picture: Mark Evans

“He’s there making that effort, putting in the work for his team, that’s what stands out for me.

“You’ve got to match it. You’ve got to match his competitive nature to be in with a chance of getting the win and being in the contest.”

This will be the 10th time Burgess and Graham have met as foes, with the Rabbitohs man holding a 5-4 advantage head-to-head.

They’ve clashed in September football twice before, Graham’s Bulldogs taking the 2012 preliminary final before Burgess walked into history with his man of the match display while carrying a broken cheekbone in the 2014 grand final.

A cheekbone that was broken, we can never forget, during a collision with Graham on the first play of the game.

The pair will go head-to-head in this weekend’s semi-final. Picture: Richard Dobson

Any suggestion of bad blood between the two has always been quickly hosed down but their rivalry on the field doesn’t need it. They’re both competitive enough – and let’s face it, crazy enough – without any extra hatred.

“It’s good to be a part of but deep down I know how close they are,” said veteran forward Jason Clark.

“There was no hostility between Sam and James Graham from ‘14 when Sam hurt his cheek, that’s just the kind of blokes they are.

“James Graham and Sam are just competitive blokes. I don’t know James Graham on a personal level but he’s a competitor, everybody can tell that.

“That’s what you want.

The next chapter in the rivalry promises plenty. Picture : Gregg Porteous

“It’s good to be a part of and watch first hand, right there next to them.”

Graham left St George Illawarra’s win over Brisbane early with a concussion but is expected to play. He protested as he was taken from the field, keen as ever to play on.

Star Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, who played with Graham at Canterbury, knows Graham is one of those tough men who need to be saved from themselves.

“He never wants to leave the field, no matter what the issue is he’ll want to play on,” Cook said.

“There’s nothing better than watching two great front rowers go at it.

“They don’t see it as a battle, they’re just doing their job for the team, but it will be a great battle between the two forward packs.”

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Originally published as Sam Burgess, James Graham to add newest chapter to enthralling rivalry