Burgess brothers make Moor return

NRL superstars Sam and Tom Burgess direct Dewsbury Moors half-time team talk .

Sam, George and Tom began their careers at Dewsbury Moor and all three, along with elder brother Luke, are now super stars in Australia’s NRL with South Sydney Rabbitohs .

The brothers returned to their home club last Sunday to coincide with watching Dewsbury Moor Ladies’ first competitive game as they took on local rivals Batley Ladies.

Sam played and scored in England’s 34-12 victory over Fiji in Hull the previous day, while George was also part of the team that secured a quarter-final spot against France this Saturday, although twin brother Tom was rested for the final group game.

They had informed Dewsbury Moor officials of their intentions to be at the game but asked their visit be kept under wraps. Each sporting Dewsbury Moor polo shirts, the Burgess brothers offered words of encouragement to the Moor Ladies and also led the half-time team talk.

Although the Moor Ladies suffered a 56-0 defeat to their more experienced rivals, Sam, George and Tom spoke of how well the team had played in their first outing.

Moor ladies coach Dean Carr said: “Some of us knew the brothers were going to be there but it came as a shock to quite a few people when they turned up. I’ve known Sam for quite some time but it was great that they could come and pay us a visit.”

The trio returned to the England camp in Huddersfield straight after Sunday’s match as they were due to have a team meeting and view the video of the Fiji game as preparations began for this week’s quarter-final.

The Burgess brothers are regarded as celebrities back in Sydney and the Dewsbury Moor club have had a visit from Australian journalist Paul Crawley, who is in England covering the World Cup.

Crawley ran a story in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph about where the brothers grew up and began their careers.

A coach load of Dewsbury Moor members are travelling to England’s World Cup quarter-final in Wigan on Saturday to cheer on the brothers and the club are also running a trip to the final at Old Trafford on November 30.

No doubt the Moor contingent will hope that their club can play a part in England lifting the World Cup for the first time since Great Britain’s success in 1972 and end 38 years of southern hemisphere dominance.