Sam Burgess cleared of allegations he drove on drugs

Ex-NRL superstar Sam Burgess has been cleared of failing a roadside drug test in a massive twist in his legal battle.

After being cleared of failing a roadside drug test, former NRL superstar Sam Burgess is gearing up to fight an allegation he drove on a suspended licence in a legal fracas which has dragged in a former minister.

It was on Wednesday revealed in Sydney’s Waverley Local Court that the retired South Sydney champion would not be facing charges after it was earlier alleged he had tested positive for cocaine during a police stop.

Mr Burgess, 34, was pulled over in his black BMW 4WD on Bunnerong Rd, Kingsford in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on the morning of December 22 last year.

At the time, it was alleged by police that the former English dual international had returned a positive result to a roadside drug test and that a second oral fluid test would be analysed to determine if he would be charged.

He maintained his innocence and even paid to undergo an independent test of his own volition.

Mr Burgess was not required to appear in court on Wednesday but his high-profile solicitor Bryan Wrench said his client had never been charged after a second test returned a negative result.

“Mr Burgess was pulled over, submitted to a drug test and I can happily confirm the drug test has now confirmed there were no drugs in Mr Burgess’ system,” Mr Wrench said in court on Wednesday.

Mr Wrench also said that the independent drug test also confirmed the negative result.

Sam Burgess has denied driving with. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Bullard

The South Sydney assistant coach on Wednesday released a statement via social media saying the allegations had been “hurtful and damaging”.

“I am contesting that I was driving with a suspended licence,” Mr Burgess said.

“I can’t comment further, and this will be resolved in due course.

“As I continue to live a transparent life, clean and sober from drugs, my sole focus is to be a loving father and a positive influence on all people around me.”

The statement released by Sam Burgess after it was revealed he had been cleared of failing a roadside drug test. Picture: Instagram.

He was also charged with allegedly driving on a suspended licence and is set to fight that allegation at a hearing next year.

Mr Wrench on Wednesday said in court it appeared there was a “vendetta” to get Mr Burgess off the road.

He raised comments made by then state Transport Minister Andrew Constance, who the court heard said in a May 2021 conference that he wanted the high-profile league star “off the road.”

Mr Constance on May 16, 2021 told a press conference: “We are now of course going to have to go back through the police, the DPP to see what we can do to legally get him (Mr Burgess) off the road.”

At the time Mr Burgess had no conviction recorded against him after he pleaded guilty to three unrelated traffic offences of driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without a NSW licence and driving with cocaine in his system.

When he was pulled over there was no sign that he was intoxicated, the court heard at the time.

He was fined $1162 and sentenced to a nine-month conditional release order.

At the time a magistrate spared him a conviction due to the “arduous and rigorous” rehabilitation program he had completed.

Mr Wrench said the suspension was for matters which were over three-years-old and seemed: “arbitrary by the RMS.”

Mr Burgess will contest the driving while suspended matter at a three-hour hearing in February 2024, with Mr Wrench telling the court he may call Mr Constance to give evidence.