Tom Burgess admits he would love to play rugby league in America again
TOM Burgess insisted he did not get involved in brother Sam’s decision to retire.
But he would love to have another chance to play for England in America, even though an experiment in Denver failed.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs star faces a strange scenario in 2020 – being the only member of the family there after four brothers moved.
George is joining Wigan while Luke and Sam have hung up their boots - the latter because of a shoulder problem.
Despite being denied one of the things he would like to see next year, his older brother being cleared to play on, there is another - another stab at cracking it Stateside lined up even though promoter Jason Moore left the Rugby Football League out of pocket.
Burgess, part of England’s side that defeated New Zealand 36-18 in front of more than 19,320 fans last June, now part of Great Britain's squad looking to bounce back from losing to Tonga, admitted: “Sam’s all right, he’s good.
“When I spoke to him, I didn’t speak to him about his body, I just spoke to him as a brother. He decided whatever he decided to do.
“But the Tonga game showed how important a mid-season Test is, just so players get that familiarity with each other. It also gives the coach a chance to look at things too.
“I want to play as many Tests as we can, so if we can get something organised for 2020 that would be great, maybe even another trip to America.
“The Denver trip was superb, taking rugby league to America. People say the crowd was low but there were many more there than for the Tonga game.
“And it was a success from a player’s point of view. It was great for the team. I don’t know all the ins and outs of things like finances and things like that but maybe they could have another go.”
Burgess, 27, will start Great Britain’s Test against New Zealand on Saturday after coach Wayne Bennett made three changes from the 14-6 loss to Tonga, including the axing of full-back Lachlan Coote.
And he is adamant they will get better now they have been around each other more.
He added before facing the Kiwis in Auckland: “New players had come in and we hadn’t been together before as we hadn’t met up for a mid-season Test.
“Tonga got two tries – one from a kick we didn’t deal with and one from them throwing the ball around – but there were positives for us.
“We could be a little bit more polished when we finish our sets and get our combinations with the half-backs better.
“We had a new full-back in there and a new scrum-half. They’re all capable players but we maybe need to have a look at that. We’re going into the Kiwis game with confidence, though.”
GREAT BRITAIN TEAM TO FACE NEW ZEALAND
Lomax; McGillvary, Hardaker, Connor, Hall; Widdop, Hastings; Hill, Hodgson, Burgess, Bateman, Whitehead, Graham. Interchange: Jones, Philbin, Clark, Walmsley.
