Brisbane Broncos captain Sam Thaiday might as well have walked straight up to Sam Burgess and slapped him across the face.
If the South Sydney Rabbitoh did not need anymore firing up, yesterday’s headline in The Courier-Mail said it all: ‘Thaiday says George is the best of the Burgess brothers’.
Thaiday has not done his team-mates any favours heading into the Round 8 clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Although Burgess may not admit it, there is nothing that lights a fire under any competitive man like being told your little brother is better than you.
“They are some huge boys. They tower over our front-rowers,” Thaiday told The Courier-Mail.
“We are more the shorter [Thaiday and Hannant], rounder front-rowers.
“Their team plays a lot of football off the back of those two guys.
“I have been more impressed with the younger brother this season.
“He’s really stepped up and really taken that role of being a great young front-rower right on board.
“I think there will be some reward for him at the end of the year with a World Cup call-up for England.”
Perhaps George has overshadowed his brother in the opening rounds with his barnstorming runs and intimidating presence. But when it comes down to it and you put it all on the line, big bro Sam is light years ahead of his giant sibling.
Physically and mentally the Rabbitohs are a better team with Sam in the side.
Statistically George (818) leads Sam (789) by 29 in all run metres in 2013 despite George playing an extra game. Oh and Sam has made 47 more tackles.
The point is that Sam is a finely tuned all-round monster while George still has plenty of work to do. And the scariest part is that Sam still has plenty of improvement left in him this season.
Brisbane sit sixth on the National Rugby League table with a record of 4-3.
But has anyone really been impressed with the Broncos so far this year?
Against a listless Wests Tigers pack last weekend that boasted such “household” names as Shaun Spence, Jack Buchanan and Sauaso Sue the Broncos almost found a way to lose the unloseable match.
They were awesome early but faded badly at Campbelltown on Saturday night.
Those same lapses in concentration and execution cannot be repeated against the Rabbitohs who boast one of the most powerful forward packs in the NRL.
Brisbane might have won their past three encounters against the Bunnies and seven of their last ten, but there is something different in the air this year at Redfern.
It isn’t Mario Fenech and Craig Coleman beating their chests or the throngs of Souths supporters and their annual premiership song and dance.
This is an honest-to-god premiership threat.
Friday night in Brisbane, the red and green road show rolls on.
All the stars will be out.
Inglis, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds and yes even George Burgess.
And don’t forget one S. Burgess looking for a certain S. Thaiday.
PuntPal
Roar Pro
streets ahead...haha, thats better!
eagleJack
Guest
Did he not bump Matai and then back pedal???? Im not saying Burgess is weak for doing it - Im sure in the back of his mind he realised if he went any further he could find himself in hot water. But he did run in, push Matai and then back away Those are just the facts.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Love the Thaiday Night Broncos. This game should be a cracker and great showcase of how our Origin players are coming. New South Welshmen, watch in awe at the strength of the mighty Maroons! Although I hear Hodges is out, could spell trouble for the Broncos team that allegedly only has one "good" player.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Oh the tackle was great, it was the cowardly afters on a held player.
Cameron
Roar Guru
They have been Saturday Night Broncos twice this season and will make it three times next weekend. Not as bad as last year.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Cheers mate but I still think Sam is streets ahead of George.
Mals
Guest
Sam "Third Man" Thaiday is probably a bit jealous that Sam Burgess was third man in when Georgey B hit the deck on Friday night.
PuntPal
Roar Pro
Have to say this is a bit of a non-story. Its the Courier Mail beating up in interest in the game, from a throw away line from Thaiday. Thaiday has said he has been more impressed, which could mean a few things: - We all knew Sam Burgess was awesome, so Thaiday is just more impressed at the meteoric rise of George (as Martyn explains). - George has scored a few barnstorming tries, which means he has been more impressive than Sam in that regard - Thaiday had to say something interesting, so he pointed out that Geroge is probably on par with his brother this year. I think you are wrong to say Sam is 'light years' ahead of George. No doubt Sam is the better all-round player, but I wouldnt throw around the term 'light years' when comparing the too. On my ratings, we are looking more at 9.3 for Sam Burgess and 8.9 for George Burgess...using numbers (with decimal points) is a far fairer and meaningful way to rate players (rather than glib and innacurate cliches). Dont want to sound too harsh, as I really rate your style Curtis and enjoy your articles. Cheers
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Agreed.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Yea Merrits a good player but he cant do what ingllis does.
turbodewd
Guest
Friday Night Broncos!!!
Bazzio
Roar Guru
"They are a strong team, but I see us as the champions. They didn't deserve the win." Anthony Mundine leading into the Grand Final re-match in 2000 between the Storm & Dragons. Storm won 70 - 10
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Granted they wouldn't be as good without Inglis but if you look at the way they play which is forwards rolling over the advantage line, Luke out of dummy half and Sutton and Reynolds pushing up, Merritt could play that role.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Mate you obviously know jack about rl, that was an awesome tackle and matai got up and ran back onside after another legal hit. Maybe your upset cuase your favorite player got smashed after cowardly pushin matai in the back.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
@Media watch .. Thanks scoop, but if Thaiday didn't make a comment in the first place the sub editor couldn't have made that headline. Back to your shanty.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Brisbane definitely aren't the side they once were.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Considering the three-man gang tackle on big Burgess with I think it was Matai giving Burgess a cheap shot to the head and then running away whilst other players held him, I think you'd have to be full of it to hold that view.
Lou
Guest
No hodges , no mirguire !! No broncos !! Aaaaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha , from the power house , straight to the sxxxt house
Pot Stirrer
Guest
ok maybehe did "run" but he sure back peddled out of thier retty quickly befre matai could turn around.
Matt
Guest
I didn't realise everyone got streamed a different version of the game.