George and Tom Burgess on outer at South Sydney but 'far from finished', say teammates
Darlings of the competition alongside older brother Sam when South Sydney won an historic premiership in 2014, twins George and Tom Burgess now find themselves languishing in reserve grade but teammates insist the 24-year-olds are "far from finished" as major players at the Rabbitohs.
The Burgess twins could both turn out for feeder team North Sydney in the Intrust Super Premiership this weekend, with George recalled to Michael Maguire's 21-man squad to play Manly at Lottoland on Saturday but listed outside the top 17 and Tom left out altogether.
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Under the pump: George and Tom Burgess could be playing reserve grade this weekend. Photo: Getty Images
It is a far cry from the days three seasons ago when George was considered among the best props in the world and Tom was a star in the making as they and the more decorated Sam all claimed grand final glory over Canterbury. The oldest of the English brothers, Luke, also played 18 games for the club in their premiership season.
Sam Burgess will captain Souths against the Sea Eagles after the season-long knee injury suffered in round one by Greg Inglis, who underwent surgery on Wednesday.
While the twins may miss out against Manly, with Dane Musgrove and Dave Tyrrell starting in the front row, two other forwards who are in line to feature on Saturday insist the pair still has plenty to offer.
"We know what they're capable of and I guess them playing reserve grade is really an indicator of the competition that we have here at the club," back-rower Angus Crichton said.
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"We've got so much depth and so much strength in our squad that two players that have won a grand final together are playing reserve grade. It would be hard for them to take that but, at the end of the day, it's going to make them a better player, it's going to going to make everyone on the field better players. That competition just drives success.
"They're far from finished, those boys."
While the loss of Inglis is a crushing blow for Souths' ambitions this season, their healthy forward stocks are a plus and they will take on a Manly pack missing a key figure, Martin Taupau, due to suspension.
"It just shows the depth of our forward pack. It's really competitive," said Souths' new addition Robbie Rochow. "I know every time I play that there's a chance someone is fighting for that position.
"I think that's going to be the position all year whereas if you don't play to how 'Madge' expects you to play, then it's going to be tough to hold your spot. I'm sure [the Burgess twins] will respond in the right manner, do their best at training and work hard to get back into the 17."
Halfback Adam Reynolds has trained this week in a bid to make an early return from pre-season surgery but has not yet done any contact work.
"It would be good to have him back, the quality player that he is," interchange hooker Damien Cook said. "But safety first. You've got to make sure he's right to play. If he's fit and ready to go that's good for us."
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