Ex-NRL star Sam Burgess’s lawyer slams domestic violence allegations as propaganda

Sam Burgess’s lawyer has made an explosive claim in court about the violence and drug allegations against the former NRL superstar.

The lawyer for Sam Burgess has explosively claimed his estranged wife Phoebe and father-in-law were acting out of “malice or retaliation” when they levelled domestic violence and drug allegations against the ex-NRL star.

Solicitor Bryan Wrench hit out in Moss Vale Local Court on Wednesday, saying he and his client had been caught off guard by the accusations contained in a 50-page statement to police by his wife.

Mr Burgess did not appear in court as he fights an accusation he intimidated his father-in-law Mitchell Hooke last year.

The drug and domestic violence allegations were published last week in The Australian and Mr Wrench said he was likely to make an application for Mr Hooke and Ms Burgess to be held in contempt of court.

Phoebe and Sam Burgess are no longer together.

He said the allegations, which were published in The Australian, were “orchestrated propaganda” and appeared to be “born out of malice or retaliation”.

Mr Wrench told the court Mr Burgess had made an application regarding unrelated matters in another court on September 24 and that six days later Ms Burgess filed her affidavit with police.

Asked by Magistrate Ian Cheetham who should be held in contempt of court, Mr Wrench replied: “At this stage I don’t know whether Phoebe Burgess or Mitchell Hooke, who have been engaged in long conversations with The Australian.”

High profile lawyer Bryan Wrench arrives at Moss Vale Court. Picture: John Grainger

Mr Wrench said he was troubled because he had still not received Ms Burgess’s affidavit, despite making repeated requests with police.

“We’ve requested the statement and heard nothing, zero,” Mr Wrench said.

Mr Burgess, 31, has previously pleaded not guilty to one charge of intimidating Mr Hooke, and intends to plead not guilty to one charge of common assault.

He has also had an apprehended violence order taken out against him after an alleged argument at Mr Hooke’s Southern Highlands property in October 2019.

Sam Burgess has denied serious allegations levelled against him by his former wife. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

When going to visit his children, Mr Burgess was asked to leave after tensions escalated resulting in police being called.

The allegations made by Ms Burgess were filed in relation to the intimidation charge against Mr Burgess.

Sam Burgess is fighting allegations he intimidated Mitchell Hooke.

It’s also been alleged he underwent a secret drug test at an underground carpark at Souths Juniors the following day, which was allegedly swept under the carpet by the Rabbitohs.

Ms Burgess claimed in her statement to police Mr Burgess tested positive to MDMA and that the test was submitted to a pathologist under a false name.

The former South Sydney premiership winner and English international has denied the allegations and any wrongdoing.

Sam Burgess has denied all allegations made against him. Picture: Christian Gilles

“The allegations are categorically denied,” Mr Wrench said on Wednesday.

The club has also denied having any knowledge of the incidents or any domestic violence allegations.

Mr Burgess has also been stood down from his position on the Rabbitohs coaching staff and at Fox Sports.

NSW Police and the NRL integrity unit are investigating the allegations against Mr Burgess.

No charges have been laid.

The matter will return to court on October 21 ahead of a hearing in November.