Burgess breaks silence after being named in sexting scandal

Souths skipper Sam Burgess has finally broken his silence after it was revealed his phone was used in the Rabbitohs’ lewd video scandal.

A clearly stressed Burgess described the past couple of weeks dealing with the allegations and the scrutiny as “a bit of a circus” but said he was keen for the truth to come out after his club’s investigation in conjunction with the NRL.

“I’m not going into detail with anything, there’s an NRL investigation ongoing at the moment and I’m happy for them to get to the truth, I really am,” Burgess said.

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The Souths skipper said the past few weeks have been tough for him, but more for his family, who’ve been in the crosshairs of the media scrutiny.

“I’m not talking about myself, I’m probably speaking more with respect to my wife, my family, my wife’s family,” he said.

“It’s been a tough process to go through with the family but Im fortunate I have a strong wife a wife that loves me and strong friends, to help me through these allegations that have been made.

Asked about his emotions during the tumultuous period, Burgess said previous experiences left him ready to deal with the matter.

“I think we’re all human, so you do feel it, but I’ve had certain experiences in my life before where I’ve had serious emotions that I’ve had to deal with,” Burgess said.

“Football has always been good to me in compartmentalising those feelings.”

The English Test star also revealed he anticipated the investigation will be wrapped up within the next couple of days.

“As soon as possible (it will be completed), hopefully with 24 hours 48 hours I think it should be resolved,” he said.

Brother says Burgess can handle the pressure

Sam Burgess can handle the extra scrutiny over his alleged involvement in the sexting scandal that threatens to undermine South Sydney’s premiership run, his brother George says.

South Sydney have yet to confirm whether Sam is being investigated, but brother Tom has already admitted his older sibling has “made a mistake”.

George said Sam remains focused on steering the club to another grand final.

“He’s experienced enough to block it out. He’s used to it. He’s been criticised before, so obviously you’ve just got to work through it. He’ll be ready to play,” George told AAP on Monday.

“Sam’s great. He’s pulled up good after the game. We’re at the best time of the year, so he’s excited about playing in a prelim with his team. That’s all there is to say really.”

It is the second time in as many weeks the governing body has been forced to address off-field issues, beginning with Canterbury’s Mad Monday antics that resulted in a $250,000 fine.

In 2016, former Sydney Roosters player Mitchell Pearce was banned for eight matches and fined $125,000 for simulating sex with a dog on video.

In the same year, Parramatta star Corey Norman was also rubbed out for eight matches and fined $20,000 for a slew of off-field misdemeanours, including his role in a sex tape.

Norman was also punished for drug possession and consorting with known criminals.

With AAP