South Sydney Rabbitohs and England star Tom Burgess has called Sydney home for the last 10 years.
After moving to Australia and joining his three brothers at the Rabbitohs, Burgess has become an integral part of the club and a standout performer in the NRL.
But the former Bradford Bulls star will always be an Englishman at heart – and was delighted to be back on home soil ahead of the upcoming England versus Tonga series.
“I’m feeling good,” Burgess explained.
“It’s really good to be back in the mother country again – I always look forward to these games every year. I’m always anxious to see what tests we’ve got organised and when I heard Tonga was coming over here for three games, I thought it’s going to be a really good test for England and one that we really need.
“I’m really excited about the prospect of playing against them. The grounds we’ve picked this year are really good and hotbeds of rugby league. It’s going to be a good atmosphere and a really good promotion of the game.
“I get really excited every time I get the chance to represent England.”
The travelling Tongan squad is littered with NRL talent and player’s that Burgess has faced – and played alongside – many times.
There are five members of the squad from Burgess’s South Sydney Rabbitohs, and he knows better than most what threats the team will possess.
“They’ve got two front rowers, a back rower, a hooker and a young half back [from Souths]. It’s really exciting – some of the names in that Tongan team have been up there as top performers in the NRL this year. They’ve got everything, the size, the skill, athletic ability, so it’s probably going to be the biggest test we’ve had for a while.
“The nature of the three tests is really interesting – it’s like Origin, with the mentality of winning the first one then the pressures on for the second one. It’s going to be a really good spectacle.
“Any fans that are wondering whether they’re going to be tough games don’t need to wonder. There’s going to be plenty of big hits, there’s going to be some off the back fence running and I’m sure there’s going to be some big collisions – and not much side stepping!”
Burgess is one of the more senior players in Shaun Wane’s squad but never tires of pulling on the famous England jersey.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the lads that I’ve not played with before and there’s some familiar faces in there too.
“I don’t think there will be any love lost on Sunday when we come out here, sing that anthem, the [Tongan] boys do their war dance and we get into it.
“It’s everything for me. It’s different when you play for your country. You’re representing everyone you’ve come into contact with in your life. You’re on the world stage – for me, it’s the pinnacle. You can’t get any better than that.”
You can book your place to watch England take on Tonga this Autumn with tickets starting from £25 for adults and £12.50 for U16s. Get your tickets here!
