Thomas Burgess eager to keep England at top Test table as he talks the talk
THOMAS Burgess is having nowt to do with rugby league’s Pacific push – he is all owt to make sure England do not become an afterthought.
His accent which stands unchanged after 11 years in Australia is testimony to that – even his Aussie born and bred children join in!
Thomas Burgess is determined to keep England in the thoughts of rugby league’s Test chiefs, despite a huge Pacific pushSWPIX.COM
The government Down Under is making moves to push the 13-a-side code in the area, a consequence of money flooding in to prevent China getting an influence.
SunSport told in May how England’s rugby league side found itself a victim of global politics, including the multi-billion pound AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.
Now that is coming to fruition, with millions of pounds of backing for the Pacific Championship and authorities in Canberra willing to bankroll a new NRL team in Papua New Guinea.
But prop and proud Yorkshireman Burgess is defiantly flying the flag for his nation – and is not prepared to let anyone forget where he comes from.
The South Sydney star said: “You never get over saying ‘owt’ or ‘nowt.’
“My wife sometimes doesn’t understand what I’m saying! She says sometimes, ‘You’re in Australia now.’
“I’d ask her, ‘Do you want owt from t’shop?’ She’d be like, ‘Do I want anything?’ When I use Yorkshire terms like maungy or foisty, she’d be like, ‘What the hell?’
“However, my girls have a little Yorkshire twang, which is good. They repeat certain words I say in a Yorkshire accent.
“I make an effort to keep my accent, especially when I’m back here. Someone said the other day, ‘You’ve got an Aussie twang.’ I don’t think I have.
“But the thing over there is when you’re broad Yorkshire they can’t understand you. You always have to repeat yourself, even now.
“It’s always an honour to come back and play for England. I always enjoy coming back from Australia, as much as people may think I don’t.
“I’ve been involved for 10 years now and I’m always looking to see which fixtures are scheduled.
Burgess’ accent has barely changed despite 11 years at South SydneySWPIX.COM
“And I’m really mindful that England aren’t left behind. I’ll never let that happen on my watch.
“I always fly the flag and make sure we’re not left out of talks when it comes to organising tournaments.
“For us to be successful at international level, we need both hemispheres to be firing.”
Burgess’ pride is backed up by his ability – he is one of five NRL-based players in boss Shaun Wane’s 24-man party to take on Tonga.
Newcastle Knights winger Dom Young’s illness ruled him out of today’s first Test, meaning Tom Johnstone will no longer be a one cap wonder.
Leeds’ Harry Newman will make his full debut while Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis is set to get the nod at half back alongside Wigan’s Harry Smith in the absence of suspended skipper George Williams.
Warrington duo Daryl Clark and Danny Walker, as well as Toby King – who returns to the Wolves next season – will line up alongside Burgess at Test level.
Burgess has left open the prospect of playing under brother Sam at WarringtonSWPIX.COM
And as brother Sam arrives to take charge of the Wolves in 2024, they may eventually be joined by him at club level.
The 31-year-old added: “I’ve a contract for next year with Souths but after that it’s open.
“I’m still feeling good and I’ve ambitions over here. I’ve never won a Grand Final or a Challenge Cup.
“Sam was an assistant at Souths and I liked it. Even when he was a player, he had a coaching role – he was always a mentor to me.
“It’s definitely an option down the track – it would be pretty cool to say Sam was my head coach but we’ll just have to wait and see.
“Sam will go really well. Knowing him better than most, he’ll bring a real good culture to Warrington. He’s ready to go.”
