Elliott Whitehead hopes former car pals Tom and George Burgess hit wrong notes
ELLIOTT Whitehead hopes to have Tom and George Burgess hitting bum notes in the NRL’s ‘Battle of Britain.’
And he knows just how big an obstacle they can pose as he used the pick the giants up and take them to training when they were at Bradford.
Today’s NRL preliminary final between Canberra and South Sydney, which sees the winners go to the Grand Final, sees SIX English players on the pitch and national boss Wayne Bennett in Souths’ coach’s box.
It may be a big Bradford reunion as all bar Josh Hodgson came through at the Bulls, sending many memories flooding back.
England star Whitehead used to collect twins George and Tom, a combined 12ft 9ins tall and 39 stones in weight, when they were just teenagers, although not much smaller.
And he is more than aware of their off-field prowess after George recently impressed in auditions for TV show Australia’s Got Talent.
He said: “They’ve always been big boys. When I used to pick them up when they were 18, they were about 110kgs back then.
“And I’ve heard George sing. He’s good. He’s more of an Elvis type whereas Tom’s more of a rapper. I’ve heard them both sing and rap. He’s pretty good for a big fella.
“I like a song, it doesn’t mean I can sing though!”
The English invasion, also with Sam Burgess, John Bateman and Ryan Sutton, has been making all kinds of headlines down under – but Whitehead claims ‘Mr Instagram Bateman’ gets the most.
Sam Burgess may be checking how many fingers he has as he knows compatriots Bateman and Hodgson are capable of snatching anything from his grasp, especially the ball.
“There's some sneaky boys in that team,” he said.
“Josh and John, when you shake their hand you have to check you've got all five fingers left."
The winners go through to the NRL Grand Final, win that and there is a possible World Club Challenge over here against the Super League champions next year.
Whitehead admits that would be a ‘dream’ but whatever happens, the 30-year-old back-rower believes their success shows England is kicking on as a nation.
He added: “The fact there’s six of us playing shows how far English rugby league has come but not just in this game.
“There’s a fair few in the NRL now. There’s Kallum Watkins at Gold Coast and Gareth Widdop and James Graham at St George-Illawarra.
“For the international game it’s good but I’m sure there’s more in Super League that can come over and do a good job.”
