Sam Burgess laughs off rumours of Luke Keary exiting South Sydney

FIND out why South Sydney star Sam Burgess won’t buy into the rumours that have dogged his return to rugby league

Sam Burgess waves to his wife in the stands after the win in the round 1 NRL game between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium,Moore Park.Picture Gregg Porteous

SAM Burgess is showing you how much he loves Luke Keary.

By hanging shit on him.

“His body, it’s got a bit of definition now,’’ the Souths enforcer laughs. “Definition in his arms. His abs.

Burgess has made a high-profile return to rugby league this season.

“I don’t know what Luke’s been doing ... but it’s the first time I’ve seen it.”

Standing now in the sunshine outside Redfern HQ, Burgess is slowly walking League Central through every sledge, slight and slanderous headline to have engulfed him this summer.

Certainly, it takes time.

And for some of it, like when quizzed on Keary, that No. 6 with whom he is supposed to be off, the big unit cackles.

Which matters.

For as any fella worth his smoko knows, the greatest way for one man to show his love for another in this country is simple — you insult them.

Luke Keary during Rabbitohs training at Redfern. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Still, a six o’clock swill this ain’t.

Like when we mention the Coffs Harbour saga which supposedly split this pair and, narrowing his gaze, the Sparkly Eyed Man brands you “irresponsible”.

But more on that shortly.

For that point we really wish to make is this: Burgess is okay with all this.

Sure, the criticism is new.

Once, this hulking forward merely had to front the cameras, smile and collect his Clive Churchill medal.

Our most popular import since AC/DC.

But now?

Well, even the briefest Google search reveals how Slammin’ Sam has supposedly been linked to every Rabbitohs crime that isn’t Schlossy’s Shoe.

Too tight with owner Russell Crowe, they say. Too distant from skipper Greg Inglis.

Much has been made of Burgess’ close relationship with Russell Crowe.

Hell, in Burgess you even have the evil bastard who consigned Chris McQueen to the worst of sporting purgatories ... two years with the Gold Coast Titans.

Yet what the man himself won’t do is buy in.

Ask about the Bunnies summer of drama and the Englishman responds: “Um, it’s an interesting story for you to write ... but it doesn’t feel dramatic”.

But c’mon Sam, really?

Aaron Gray and Dylan Walker overdose. Then GI gets linked to Brisbane.

Elsewhere, the Redfern rumour mill then churning through Adam Reynolds’ happiness, Walker and McQueen’s departure, even the training methods of coach Michael Maguire.

And then Crowe and Keary go trading insults over hooker Cameron McInness.

So when you say there’s no drama, what do you see that we don’t?

“No, it’s what you see that we don’t,’’ Burgess says. “Externally, it may seem like a big deal.

“South Sydney are a rich club and people want to know what’s going on. They sell newspapers.

“So yeah, it’s dramatic in that way.

South Sydney's Sam Burgessin action against the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello

“But internally, there is no problem. Internally we’ve got 30 guys who want to win for each other.”

And at this point, we should pause to remind you how Souths opened the season by smashing the Roosters 42-10.

“All the exterior stuff, as a squad we’ve developed ways to block it out,’’ Burgess continues. “Plus, we know how (Coffs Harbour) played out.

“That’s why it didn’t effect us.

“I understand you guys in the media have a job to do. But when things are blown out of proportion ... that’s irresponsible.”

Irresponsible?

Your star playmaker walked. At midnight.

The fallout from which is still bubbling, with Keary’s manager this week talking up a potential switch to rugby.

So how is reporting that irresponsible?

“I’ve made my point,’’ Burgess says. “I think the reporting was irresponsible.”

Yet speaking later, a Souths insider suggests what Burgess deemed irresponsible was not so much the incident itself — which happened — but the subsequent innuendo.

Specifically, that the team split. With supporters of Keary resenting the Brit for allegedly choosing Maximus over McIness.

So what does Burgess make of claims he and Rusty are too tight?

South Sydney's Sam Burgessin action against the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello

“I’m friends with Russell Crowe. So what?” he shrugs. “What’s the harm?

“All the talk, it’s just people’s opinion.

“For some reason, there seems to be a fascination between mine and Russell’s friendship.

“But Russell is close with most players in this squad, if not everyone. He knows all the new guys, everybody.”

Certainly, if there is a split in the Bunnies ranks no one has told Hymel Hunt, the rising Rabbits centre who shares a locker beside Burgess and admits to being his “sponge”.

“Just his character, his work ethic, I feed off all of it,’’ the 22-year-old says. “Sam carries a vibe with him, an aura.”

Inglis agrees, calling Burgess a “strong leader”. While winger Alex Johnston says the hulking forward is even more vocal now than during his first Redfern stint.

All of which has us wondering, then, if Burgess feels burned by the Sydney press?

“It’s not the media that burns you,’’ he says. “But certain people in it.

“And even then, they have a job to do.”

So the innuendo doesn’t sting?

“It used to,’’ he admits. “But not anymore

“Especially when that is such a very small part of my life now. I’ve got great friends and family, a beautiful wife, that’s why I won’t let a couple of little things bother me.

“Plus, it’s easy to block out. Especially when you’re surrounded by 30 guys who are on the same page.

“And here at Souths, we are.”

Originally published as Sam Burgess laughs off rumours of Luke Keary exiting South Sydney