Sam Burgess to miss England’s Test series against New Zealand through injury

[Hogg]

THE Rabbitohs have confirmed Sam Burgess will miss England’s Test series against New Zealand with shoulder and wrist injuries.

Burgess confirmed through a Rabbitohs statement that he will not travel to the UK, despite originally being named in Wayne Bennett’s original 24-man squad.

The 29-year-old captain will undergo off-season surgery in preparation for the Rabbitohs 2019 NRL campaign.

“I’m gutted that I have had to withdraw from these matches as I love playing for my country and it is a great honour,” Burgess said.

“The reality of the situation is that it’s imperative that I get these surgeries done, and with a view to the next three or four years, I need to get them done now.

“I’ll be watching on from Australia and cheering on England against France and New Zealand, and I’m sure the team will do England proud.”

Burgess suffered a difficult end to the season, after the saga surrounding the nude photos reportedly sent from his social media account.

The 2014 premiership winn`er was cleared by an investigation and has insinuated he may explore legal action.

England will take on the Kiwis in three Tests in October and November.

Sam’s twin brothers Tom and George have been named in the squad, with George recalled to Bennett’s team after missing last year’s World Cup.

Squad: John Bateman (Wigan), George Burgess (South Sydney) Tom Burgess (South Sydney), Daryl Clark (Warrington), Jake Connor (Hull), Luke Gale (Castleford), James Graham (St George Illawarra), Joe Greenwood (Wigan), Chris Hill (Warrington), Josh Hodgson (Canberra), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield), Jonny Lomax (St Helens), Reece Lyne (Wakefield), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield), Adam Milner (Castleford), Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan), Mark Percival (St Helens), Stefan Ratchford (Warrington), Luke Thompson (St Helens), Sam Tomkins (Wigan), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra), George Williams (Wigan).