England rugby league coach Steve McNamara may have unleashed the anger of perhaps the most dangerous of the Burgess clan – mother Julie.
Julie Burgess, who accompanied her four sons to the Dally M awards on Tuesday night, has spoken out about the selection of only three of her sons in England’s squad for the World Cup to begin later this month.
South Sydney’s Sam Burgess and his younger twin brothers and teammates Tom and George were all included by McNamara in a 24-man squad.
But their elder broker Luke, who also plays for the Rabbitohs, wasn’t included, and Julie Burgess said on Wednesday she didn’t understand why.
“As a mum you think you think you would be really excited that three of your sons have been selected,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I’m really am delighted for Thomas and George. It’s their debut for full internationals and it’s so exciting and a great achievement and it’s amazing that Sam’s coming back but it’s just so disappointing that Luke’s not in there.
“That’s the heartbreak really and I just don’t understand it,” she added.
“It’s a huge disappointment to see his brothers all go back to England and for him to not be a part of that. It’s hard as a mum to know what to say.”
All four brothers played for South Sydney against Wests Tigers in the NRL in August, a feat last accomplished 103 years ago.
McNamara admitted on Tuesday it had been difficult to leave Luke out.
“It’s very tough, I can only imagine what it must feel like to have your three brothers in a World Cup squad and you’re not part of it,” he said.
“But it’s part and parcel of the game and I’m sure Luke understands that.
“It would have been a marketing dream to have had all four but it was based on what I feel is best for performance.
“There are a number of players who are unfortunate not the make the squad. It’s been a difficult selection.”
England, then competing as Great Britain, haven’t won the World Cup since 1972 but Julie Burgess believes the current side can end that barren run.
“With the England squad they have got they are definitely in with a chance,” she said.
“I sadly won’t be over there to watch as I will be in Australia but I’m pretty sure we have a really strong chance of competing against the top sides.”