Sam Burgess relishing his role as England captain
Thursday 27 October 2016 23:32, UK
Sam Burgess is ready to adopt a senior role for England as he prepares to go back to where his rugby league career took off.
Aged just 18, Burgess signalled his arrival on the international stage with a thunderous tackle on New Zealand heavyweight Fuifui Moimoi that enraged the Kiwis and lifted his Great Britain team-mates as they went on to win 20-14 on their way to completing a series whitewash.
Burgess, then an emerging back row-forward with Bradford, also scored a try that day in Huddersfield to complete a memorable debut and it is still vivid as he gets ready to lead England out against New Zealand for his first game as captain.
"It feels like two minutes ago but it's nine years, it's crazy," said Burgess. "I did not know it was going to happen. I got in front of someone and it looked quite good.
"I know what I was feeling, nerves and emotion before the game. I felt comfortable on the field surrounded by some great men, Jamie Peacock, Adrian Morley, Gareth Ellis, Terry Newton, some wonderful players, which made it easier for me.
"Now I can pass on that same experience, being an older guy in the squad - it sounds crazy - to some of the young guys playing their first tournament."
The return of dual-code international Burgess, who was suspended for last Saturday's warm-up Test against France, is one of a host of changes made by England coach Wayne Bennett from the team that played France last Saturday.
St Helens centre Mark Percival and Hull prop Scott Taylor, who made their Test debuts in the 40-6 win in Avignon have been left out, along with Widnes stand-off Kevin Brown and Warrington utility player Stefan Ratchford.
Super League Grand Finalists Dan Sarginson, Chris Hill, John Bateman, Liam Farrell and George Williams are brought into Bennett's 19-man squad, along with Burgess, who will make his first appearance for England since their heart-breaking, last-gasp defeat by the Kiwis in the 2013 World Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Bennett said: "Sam's back from suspension and ready to pull on the England rugby league shirt. It's been a few years since he played over here and I'm sure the sell-out crowd at Huddersfield will be keen to see him out there."
A winnings start is crucial, with the losers at the John Smith's Stadium facing an uphill battle to reach the November 20 final at Anfield.
"We all know the importance of the game," Burgess said. "It is Test match rugby and every game should be do or die.
"We are preparing on a daily basis to get the best performance on Saturday. I'm pretty sure it is going to be a good game, that physical encounter between both teams."
