Sam Burgess named international rugby league player of year

Sam Burgess has capped a brilliant 12 months by becoming the first Englishman to be named the international rugby league player of the year.

Burgess won the NRL grand final with South Sydney Rabbitohs, his final match in league before departing for a rugby union career with Bath. It was the Rabbitohs’ first grand final victory in 43 years, and Burgess played the game with a fractured cheekbone.

That injury prevented Burgess from joining up with Bath, meaning he was in Brisbane on Thursday to pick up his award.

“It’s unexpected really. I wasn’t supposed to be in the country. I was supposed to be out of here a couple of weeks ago,” Burgess said. “But this is great. I’m really happy with how the year went with South Sydney and for the thousands of fans who have stuck with the club through many years of not-so-good times. To leave on that, it’s a story that Russell [Crowe] couldn’t have written.

“These awards are great but I’m happy for the team success with South Sydney. It’s been a great 12 months and one I’ll never forget.”

Burgess is expected to be out of action for another eight weeks as his facial injuries heal.

“Sam was wonderful for England in the World Cup last year and his performances for South Sydney through the NRL season were first-class, all the way to his Clive Churchill Medal effort in the grand final against Canterbury-Bankstown,” the RLIF chairman, Nigel Wood, said. “He is a worthy recipient and deserves to be recognised for his achievements over the past year on the international stage as well as in the NRL competition.”

Burgess held off strong competition from fellow nominees including fellow Englishman James Graham, and Australian stars Johnathan Thurston and Jarryd Hayne.