Burgess: Foreign stars helped make me the player I am

7:00am Thursday 20th November 2008

By Dave Craven

Bulls star Sam Burgess has hit back at Ricky Stuart after the Australia coach blamed England’s World Cup failure on too many overseas players in Super League.

The Bradford ace, currently rated the best young player in the game, believes his career has benefited hugely from the influence of foreign talent at Grattan Stadium.

And Burgess believes drastically cutting the number of imports – the only way England will eventually challenge the world champions, according to Stuart – would make things worse.

“I completely disagree with what he’s saying,” said the top prop, who missed out on the disastrous trip Down Under due to injury.

“To be honest, I don’t know why he’s come out with all that and I feel really strongly on this matter.

“I know overseas players do make a positive difference to both Super League itself and in turn English players.

“Taking them out would only dilute our competition, and the number of overseas players is not going to affect our international chances at all.”

Burgess, 19, continued: “When they come over here they help our players develop and I know that first hand.

“I’m not saying it’s just the overseas lads, as Andy Lynch has been a great role model for me at Bradford, but people like Joe Vagana and Glenn Morrison have also helped a lot.

“Also, though, I think young kids like to watch overseas players in action too. I know I did. It attracts them to the game.

“Personally, I know I enjoy training alongside them and not just for footballing reasons; it’s good to learn about their different cultures, experiences and techniques.”

Stuart watched his Kangaroos outfit dish out a 52-4 hammering to England in the World Cup group stages and feels the gap between the two nations is growing larger.

Following England’s semi-final exit against New Zealand, he spoke out and insisted Super League clubs must take their share of the blame, saying the national team had gone “backwards” since the last World Cup in 2000.

“The days of Great Britain producing classy, seasoned footballers seem so long ago,” wrote Stuart.

“Until a limit is placed on imports in the English league, or a shift away from raiding Australia and New Zealand, I just can’t see the international game going forward in the UK.

But Burgess believes there is plenty of young, home talent available and it is just the way it is nurtured which he thinks needs improving, admitting the Aussies are the ones to follow in that respect.

“Here, there’s a big step up from reserve grade to first team, certainly a lot bigger than the one in Australia” Burgess said.

“Not all players are ready to make that jump from Under-21s to Super League. Many haven’t played against men before and it comes as a massive shock.

“In Australia though all the NRL sides have feeder clubs who help progress the youngsters when they get to that age.

“They go out to these teams, play against blokes at a high standard and return blooded.

“Craig Kopczak played a few games on loan at Halifax in National League One and really benefited from that experience.

“He played against men in that division and the jump up wasn’t as big when he came back.

“It’s done all the time Down Under and that’s how their youngsters progress quicker. I think that’s the main difference.”

England bombed out of the World Cup after losing three straight games in embarrassing style and a lot has been spoken and written about the root of their demise.

Burgess said: “I’m disappointed for the boys and know they are hurting but I wasn’t there so can’t really comment.

“I’m sure it’s not because of the standard of Super League or the way we play the game over here; players who starred in Super League have gone over there and it’s just not happened.

“They all went wanting to be successful but the circumstances have meant it didn’t happen for whatever reason.”