Former teammate Lote Tuqiri believes Sam Burgess has been harshly treated and is hoping the Wallabies don’t feel the backlash in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup blockbuster at Twickenham.
Burgess has been dropped to the England bench for the must-win pool match after being savaged by the British media in the wake of the hosts’ 28-25 loss to Wales.
Tuqiri’s opinion, though, is well qualified and the dual international hopes Burgess doesn’t have the last laugh at Australia’s expense.
Burgess will be taking on the Wallabies on the anniversary weekend that he and Tuqiri starred in South Sydney’s drought-breaking NRL grand final triumph over Canterbury last year.
Tuqiri also featured in an Australia v England World Cup showstopper in his first year after switching codes from league to union when he started on the wing for the Wallabies in the 2003 final in Sydney.
And the 67-Test Wallaby is adamant Burgess should be starting in the latest instalment of England’s great sporting rivalry with Australia.
“He’s been hard done by, 100 per cent. I think it was a mistake Sammy being relegated to the bench,” Tuqiri told AAP on Friday.
“I thought when he came on against Fiji (in England’s tournament opener) he swayed the game his team’s way.
“Last week he was let down by the players who came on late who didn’t close the game out and he’s been hammered by the English press and ex-players.
“But he’s an easy target. It’s a tough one on Sammy.”
England led Fiji 18-8 before scoring two tries after Burgess’s injection with 20 minutes to go in a 35-11 bonus-point win.
After starting Burgess at inside centre against Wales, England led 25-18 before he was replaced by George Ford with 11 minutes remaining in the three-point defeat that has left the tournament hosts’ Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
Tuqiri says it will be intriguing to see how England coach Stuart Lancaster uses the 196cm, 116kg Burgess against Australia, who are starting the 178cm, 85kg Matt Giteau at inside centre.
“It’s going to be interesting,” Tuqiri said.
“Australia play a smart type of game whereas England play a bash-and-barge style and that’s what Sammy’s very good at.”
While the jury is still out on Burgess, Tuqiri believes the 26-year-old has made a strong transition in his first season in the 15-man code.
“I think he’s done really well,” he said.
“I’m not surprised that he’s made it, but I thought he might have played in the back row.
“To make the transition from the forwards (in rugby league) to No.12 is a lot more difficult.
“But we all know he’s an athlete.”
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
I think tuqiri was an OK centre for he wallabies..the standards then were high though in likes of Stirling Mortlock and even clyde rathbone who was a pretty good wing/centre convert....not to mention AAC who was slowly becoming a good 13..
Not Bothered
Guest
Except they dont. SBW didnt say Burgess was a good centre. Tim Horan thought that when Burgess was subbed that Roberts came into the game. As if Burgess had tackled Roberts every time until then, Burgess tackled Roberts about once all match. Burgess started as a centre for his club, was poor, shifted to 6 and was much better. There is no point ever asking a league convert what they think of another league converts game because I have never heard any of them be negative ever. Its always supportive.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Roberts made a lot of metres when Burgess came off.
In brief
Guest
As Tim Horan pointed out on Rugby HQ London edition, Burgess did a great job of shoring up the mid field for England. When he came off the Welsh started getting on top. Every expert I've heard agrees England was on top for the first 70 minutes and looked like winning. When Burgess came off Wales gained ascendency and England lost in the last 10 minutes.
In brief
Guest
Funny that Tim Horan, SBW and Jeff Wilson all disagree with you and D'arcy. I know whose opinion I would trust.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I for one am glad Barritt is at 12 and not Burgess. Barritt missed a few tackles against fiji and offers less in attack.
JimmyB
Guest
I meant to say of course that D'arcy isn't British.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Would Brad Barritt get as much media attention if he was benched and Burgess started in place of him? Yet he's the first choice? Very odd....
JimmyB
Guest
I'm not sure that he was 'savaged' by the Brutish press after the Wales game at all. There were plenty of pundits who didn't think he should be there in the first place, a not unreasonable position all things considered, but the only savaging I've seen afterwards was from Gordon D'arcy who wrote quite an unpleasant and seemingly personal attack on the guy. Now I'm completely willing to accept that D'arcy knows more about playing centre than me, but I genuinely didn't think that Burgess was bad against Wales and certainly not to the degree that D'arcy made out.
Tiger
Guest
I wonder, if Burgess had served his apprentice in Super Rugby would he be further advance (skill wise)? Personally I think the game in the SH would suit him better. Do understand he had to play in the UK to be eligible for selection.
Rugger Mouse
Roar Rookie
Clearly Lote doesn't understand the intricacies of playing centre, as so well pointed out by Gordan D'Arcy's article about Burgess's defensive flaws. Being able to successfully code hop in one year would be far fetched, let alone at centre! Not Burgess's fault... He clearly got thrown in the deep end when he should've spent more time in the kiddy pool... Perhaps Lote was bias based on his "successful" transition to union. Playing centre has many responsibilities, even Lote struggled there after a few years in union.