Sam Burgess: Ex-England rugby star stands down as Rabbitohs coach amid drug and domestic violence allegations

Misconduct claims: Burgess's Sydney lawyer has strongly denied all allegations
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Will Macpherson2 October 2020

Sam Burgess today stood down from his coaching and broadcast roles, as New South Wales police and Australia’s National Rugby League investigate allegations against him of drug use and domestic violence.

Burgess, a coach at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, having represented England in both League and Union disciplines, was the focus of a four-month investigation by The Australian newspaper in which the 31-year-old is accused of assaulting his then-wife, Phoebe, while she was pregnant.

The Australian today claimed to have “uncovered pharmaceutical records, sworn statements to NSW Police, statutory declarations, witness accounts, call logs, emails, text messages, bank records, WhatsApp exchanges and Uber receipts detailing Burgess’s alleged episodes of drug use, domestic violence and abusive behaviour”.

The newspaper also alleged that South Sydney Rabbitohs, the NRL club he represented across a decade until his retirement last year, had attempted to cover up Burgess’s behaviour. The Rabbitohs are co-owned by Hollywood actor Russell Crowe.

Burgess, who swapped codes to represent England at the 2015 World Cup, has stepped down from his role as a coach and as a pundit with Fox Sports as the investigation commences.

Photo: AP
AP

His lawyer, Mark O’Brien, told The Australian: “The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client. It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues.”

Allegations come from Burgess’s estranged wife and also her father, Mitch Hooke, a high-profile Australian businessman. Burgess was charged with intimidation after visiting his father-in-law’s home a year ago, but pleaded not guilty.

The NRL were caught by surprise by the allegations, but have launched a “comprehensive investigation” into the behaviour of the player and the club.

“These allegations are very serious and I’ve instructed the Integrity Unit to investigate the claims as a priority,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. “We will also seek the advice of police and other relevant authorities throughout this process.”

The chairman of the ARL Commission, Peter V’landys, added: “Let me stress that the NRL has a zero-tolerance for violence against women. But in this instance, I think that the appropriate action is to investigate it, get all the facts, and make a judgment after that.”

In a statement, the Rabbitohs said: “There is no place in our society for violence, harassment or abuse against women. If anyone is found guilty of allegations of this nature, the club will take the strongest possible action.

“The club takes issues of drug use very seriously and has well-established policies and procedures in place around the use of performance enhancing or illicit/recreational/prescription drugs.

“The club is supportive of Sam Burgess’s decision to step down while the NRL Integrity Unit investigation is underway.”

A NSW Police spokesperson said: “Police have commenced inquiries. There will be no further comment made at this time.”

Burgess and his wife broke up in December 2018, just weeks after the birth of their son, Billy. They also have a daughter, Poppy.

Their divorce, after four years of marriage, was finalised in April.

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