After getting some attention on social media about his role at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Sam Burgess has bitten back about the reasons why England failed.
Sam Burgess has claimed that “individual egos” and “selfish players” contributed to England’s painful 2015 World Cup demise.
Burgess was part of an England squad that crashed out in the pool stage – the first host nation in Rugby World Cup history to suffer such a fate.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster and defence specialist Andy Farrell, who will succeed Joe Schmidt as Ireland boss after next year’s World Cup, were among those who departed Twickenham in the aftermath of events three years ago.
Lancaster has gone on to mastermind Leinster’s push to the summit of European rugby, while Farrell has received widespread acclaim for his work with Ireland and the British and Irish Lions.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, rugby league star Burgess, who won five union caps for England in 2015 – including three at the World Cup – during a stint with Premiership club Bath, has hit out following criticism on social media of his role in that tournament.
Burgess tweeted: “I seem to be getting a few tweets regarding the Rugby WC in 2015….Still. If people actually rewatched the games I participated in you will see I added to the team. What cost us an early exit was individual egos and selfish players not following our leader. Which ….
“Essentially cost the coach and other great men their jobs. Tournaments are not won by the coaching staff or one player. It takes a commitment from the full group. I guarantee you this, I was committed but others had their own agendas. I have fond memories of my time in RU
“And some great friends. One day I will tell my side of the story, but for now I love watching @EnglandRugby and cannot wait to see them as they prepare for the 2019 WC in Japan.”
Burgess returned to rugby league following the 2015 World Cup, signing a lucrative deal with South Sydney.
adastra32
Roar Rookie
Clearly a slow news day in the rugby goldfish bowl.
brian
Guest
Yeah, Bath had started playing him at 6 rather than centres. He would have been devastating in the long term as a hard-tackling, ball-running forward.
CUW
Roar Rookie
i think they lost to WALES (?) after he was subbed and many including Sir clive questioned the decision. but then i think the whole thing was confused from the start. he went to bath and played at 6 while with test team played in centers. whereas SBW from day one played in centers despite being a league forward.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Would've been a good rugby player given the time and coaching.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I actually thought Burgess was one of the only English players to provide go forward at all times... the whole time, it seemed like everyone was trying to offload to someone else to do something... Burgess was unfairly maligned... not that this is beneficial bringing it up again all these years later. But for salacious gossip, I would love to know who has egos etc.
James Butcher
Guest
Meanwhile on planet Earth...
Birdy
Guest
So nice to have such a good laugh on the roar. The let's blame Sam for England's loss in 15 hasn't gone away. Can someone please remind me why Eddie Jones was hired? Primarily to break up the old boys club. What happens when Sam resigned with the bunnies and offered to say his goodbyes to the English team? That's right the primmadonna old boys club wouldn't have been too receptive and Sam was advised not to attend. I choose to believe Sam's version . Interesting with rumours floating around Eddie Jones today, is it possible that despite all his success, the old boys club is reemerging? Easy to see why Sam left. My prediction, Eddie Jones and England will part company soon , the primmadonna Donna's will retake control and England will slip back to 12th in world rankings. Go Sammy.
Christov
Guest
Poor Sam - just needs to let it go. Obviously the tweets are to a reaction and they got one so they won't stop anytime soon. The funny thing was the #blameburgess was around the same time as #thanksobama was popular - so my guess it was just the fashion of the day.
Andrew
Roar Guru
The story that will not die.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Dumb move Sam. Reads like a Trump tweet.