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Ex-NRL player Sam Burgess's birthday snap amid court fight

Former NRL star Sam Burgess was pictured with Sydney nutritionist and influencer Jade Spooner as he celebrated his recent 32nd birthday. Pictures: Instagram
Former NRL star Sam Burgess was pictured with Sydney nutritionist and influencer Jade Spooner as he celebrated his recent 32nd birthday. Pictures: Instagram

Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess has been pictured celebrating his 32nd birthday with a high-profile Sydney nutritionist and influencer as he awaits his latest court date in his trial with ex-wife Phoebe Burgess.

Sam and Phoebe Burgess finalised their divorce earlier in 2020 after their four-year marriage came to a tumultuous end.

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The former Rabbitohs player has pleaded not guilty to stalking or intimidating with the intention to cause fear or physical harm over an incident relating to a dispute between him and Phoebe’s father Mitchell Hooke in October 2019.

NSW Police took out an apprehended violence order against Burgess on Hooke’s behalf.

The former Souths star was also implicated in a serious scandal when The Australian newspaper outlined a number of serious allegations of drug use and domestic violence against Burgess, who has stood down from his assistant coach position at South Sydney and a media role.

Well-known Sydney-based nutritionist Jade Spooner uploaded an image of her and Burgess to her Instagram story, captioning the shot of the pair with ‘Happy Birthday to this one of a kind’.

Spooner, 28, recently published her first book, ‘I Do-Nut Diet’, and his been pictured with Burgess’ mother on social media in the past.

Rapana re-signs to hunt title with Raiders

A year after a deal with Japanese Rugby threatened to end his time with Canberra, Jordan Rapana has signed a new one-year NRL contract with the club.

The 31-year-old has agreed to terms with the Raiders for 2021, saying he has unfinished business.

Shortly after the 2019 grand final loss to Sydney Roosters, Rapana took up a deal to play rugby union in Japan, but his stint was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular winger rejoined Canberra on a short-term contract and played 19 games this year, but will now get another chance at an NRL title with the Raiders next season.

It's been a drawn out process, but Rapana said he's relieved his future is secured.

"I'm really happy to be staying in Canberra, I feel like I've got unfinished business here and I want to be part of a team that can win a grand final," Rapana said.

Jordan Rapana has re-signed with the Canberra Raiders as the club seeks a drought-breaking NRL grand final win. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Jordan Rapana has re-signed with the Canberra Raiders as the club seeks a drought-breaking NRL grand final win. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

"I love everything about the club and the boys we have here are a great bunch of blokes who I think can do something special.

"I'm looking forward to a full pre-season as well.

"The last couple of pre-seasons for me have been hard as I've had surgery or niggling injuries, but I feel really good and I can't wait to get back into it and be ready for the start of the season."

Rapana has played 132 games for the Raiders since he joined the club in 2014.

He becomes the latest NRL player without a contract to shore up his future.

Cameron Smith, Nathan Peats, Elijah Taylor, Danny Levi and Tim Lafai are all off-contract and are yet to announce their plans for 2021.

With AAP

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