George Burgess reckons it is better late than never as he prepares to make his Super League debut.
One of four brothers nurtured by the Dewsbury Moor junior club, Burgess came through the system at Bradford but, unlike twin Tom and older siblings Sam and Luke, he turned his back on Super League and instead opted to try his luck in Australia with South Sydney.
Just 18 at the time, he quickly broke into the Rabbitohs’ NRL team alongside Sam and the brothers made history in 2013 when all four played together in a match against Wests Tigers.
Luke and Sam have now retired and Tom is left to fly the family flag at Redfern after George left Souths at the end of 2019.
He was forced to find a new club after the Rabbitohs decided not to renew his contract and he was happy to swap the heat of an Australian summer for the cold reality of an English winter he knows only too well.
“It definitely wasn’t about the weather,” Burgess said.
“I always wanted to play Super League. I felt this was a good time for me, a time when I can still perform at a high standard.”
Burgess says a move to Super League new boys Toronto was an option at one time but he did not take much persuading to join the Warriors.
“They are moving in a great direction and they have a brand new training facility which is probably the best in the league – that was a bit of a tipping point.”
While in Super League, Burgess hopes to win back his England place in time for the Ashes Series with the Kangaroos in October and November.
He was left out of the Great Britain squad by Wayne Bennett after a domestic season disrupted by a nine-match ban for an eye gouge but the South Sydney boss, who hopes to be re-appointed as England head coach, has promised to keep an eye on the player’s form for Wigan.
“Last year was a bit tricky with everything that went on,” Burgess admitted.
“I probably didn’t play enough games to warrant a spot in that team. He was probably right to not pick me.
“All I can do is train hard and get out on the field and try and play my best game. Hopefully, if I do that, I can get back in the team.”