Sam Burgess is the man who needs to be stopped if Australia are to defeat England in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup 2013 opener, according to Kangaroos’ coach Tim Sheens.
Tim Sheens is wary of the threat posed by England’s Sam Burgess.The tournament favourites are aiming to get their campaign off to a winning start against the co-hosts at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. And, while Sheens is impressed with the quality of the England squad at coach Steve McNamara’s disposal, he feels Burgess is the main man.
Burgess plies his trade in the NRL with South Sydney, along with his three brothers, so Sheens is well aware of his capabilities and likens his influence on the team to that of New Zealand star Sonny Bill Williams.
He is a certain starter against Australia, while his younger brother George is set to be on the bench and Tom is also in the squad, although there was no place for the oldest brother Luke in McNamara’s plans.
“I wouldn’t have been surprised if all of them had been in there,” said Sheens, who has kept tabs on the quartet in Australia this past season. “They’ve had a great season for Souths this year.
Burgess is to England what Sonny Bill is to New Zealand. He’s the class player. They provide the x factor for those teams.
Tim Sheens
“It’s been a major story over there when all four of them played against my old club, the Tigers.
“Sam is without doubt the quality player in that pack. He was all class the other day even in that loss (to Italy). You could see when he put the foot down, he was a handful.
“That’s not to say his brothers can’t play or that anyone else can’t play. But Burgess is to England what Sonny Bill is to New Zealand. He’s the class player. They provide the x factor for those teams.”
Australia, who are 4/11 to win the World Cup, can be backed at 1/6 to defeat England who are 4/1 to win the match, while Sam Burgess is 4/1 to score a try at anytime.
Don’t forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved bet365 On The Move.