Sam Burgess breaks silence on sexting claims

NRL star Sam Burgess has broken his silence over the Rabbitohs’ sexting scandal, opening up on the private toll its taken on his family.

Sam Burgess faces the media regarding the sexting scandal engulfing South Sydney.

NRL superstar Sam Burgess has revealed his private heartbreak over his wife’s reaction to the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ sexting scandal.

Speaking about the allegations for the first time this afternoon, Burgess said the media attention had taken a toll on his family.

“I’m not angry. What hurts me the most is seeing my wife upset about what’s out there,” he told reporters in a tense press conference at the Rabbitohs’ Redfern training headquarters ahead of their blockbuster preliminary final against the Roosters.

The 29-year-old English star was embroiled last week in a lewd video chat scandal after his social media account was reportedly used to send nude photos to a 23-year-old woman.

The woman claims one Rabbitohs player exposed his genitals and another Rabbitoh flashed his backside during an online video chat in May.

Burgess refused to go into detail about the scandal, as the allegations were now the subject of an NRL integrity unit investigation.

“I’m completely happy to be going through the process. I’ve been open and honest with everything. Hopefully, it’s resolved quickly,” he said.

The English star was calm throughout the 11-minute media conference and only struggled with one question.

He needed almost 10 seconds to compose himself when asked about reports his family home has been surrounded by paparazzi photographers since the allegations surfaced last week.

“I just want to protect my family in this whole thing,” he said.

Sam Burgess also thanked teammates for their support.

“I’ve got a wife. I’ve got a daughter. My wife’s heavily pregnant. I just want them to be safe and happy. In my current situation at home there’s just no chance of that.”

He also paid tribute to his wife, Phoebe.

“With respect to my wife, my family, my wife’s family, it’s been a tough process to go through, the family together,” he said.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve got a strong wife. I’ve got a wife who loves me. I’ve got great family. I’ve got great friends. Great support around me to help me through these allegations that have been made. It’s been a tricky few days.

South Sydney has confirmed the club is also investigating an incident reported to have occurred while players were in New Zealand after a win over the Warriors in May.

Burgess played for the Rabbitohs in their win over the Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Saturday and he is not expected to be stood down for the grand final qualifier against the Roosters, according to reports.

While refusing to comment on the situation until the club’s investigation concludes, he did complain about the impact the unresolved situation has had on him and his family.

“I’m not going into detail on anything,” Burgess said.

“There’s an NRL investigation going on. That’s a process that we have to respect, but I’m happy for them to get to the truth, I really am.”

Sam Burgess at training on Tuesday.

Burgess was calm throughout the media interrogation and repeatedly said he was unable to comment on specific aspects of the investigation. However, he did say he was pleased to have an opportunity to speak publicly.

“I’m not running away or hiding,” he said.

“I’m here to tell you there is an inquiry going on and until then I can’t talk about it.”

Burgess said his team’s Saturday blockbuster was his primary focus, but admitted he would consider speaking to his lawyer soon, most likely at the end of the season, to discuss his legal options surrounding the claims made against him.

“Once this process is finished, I’ll speak to my lawyer then,” he said.

“There’s a lot of important things going on at the minute. There’s some serious football games ahead of me.”

The saga comes amid fears Rabbitohs players could be rubbed out of Saturday’s grand final qualifier against the Sydney Roosters.

Phoebe Burgess, first Instagram post after the Sam Burgess Sexting revelations.

Burgess’s brother Tom has already admitted his older sibling has “made a mistake”.

The club on Friday set up a five-person panel to look into the incident, including NRL investigator Karyn Murphy, but it is unclear how long the investigation will take.

His other brother George said Sam remained focused on steering the club to another grand final.

“He’s experienced enough to block it out. He’s used to it. He’s been criticised before, so obviously you’ve just got to work through it. He’ll be ready to play,” George told AAP on Monday.

“Sam’s great. He’s pulled up good after the game. We’re at the best time of the year, so he’s excited about playing in a prelim with his team. That’s all there is to say really.”

It is the second time in as many weeks the governing body has been forced to address off-field issues, beginning with Canterbury’s Mad Monday antics, which resulted in a $250,000 fine.

In 2016, former Sydney Roosters player Mitchell Pearce was banned for eight matches and fined $125,000 for simulating sex with a dog on video.

In the same year, Parramatta star Corey Norman was also rubbed out for eight matches and fined $20,000 for a slew of off-field misdemeanours, including his role in a sex tape.

Norman was also punished for drug possession and consorting with known criminals.

— with AAP