Tonight, two
of Rugby League’s modern day greats go into their final battle, for the very
last time. After 80 minutes, or potentially even more, one will exit the game forever;
the other will have an opportunity at premiership glory.
The image that
optimises the two behemoths that are Sam Burgess and Sonny Bill Williams, is
the ‘welcome back’ gift Sam delivered SBW in round 1, 2013. With SBW returning
from a 5 year stint in Rugby Union with so much hype he had his own voice
narrate his call up off the bench, Sam Burgess demanded the ball as soon as he
spotted SBW in the line, and in one run showed the world that no longer was SBW
in the game he left as the world’s best. Straight over the top of the Roosters
back-rower like a bull over a backpacker in Pamplona. The way both men play the
game is with absolute ferocity, leaving nothing in the tank. SBW no longer
relies on the shoulder charge, but with a refined game still delivers the
ultimate punch to opposition forward packs. Sam plays the game so hard; he
missed numerous games in his first two seasons in Australia. His approach has
not changed and he will be the one out their tonight for South Sydney looking for
the first hit up or tackle.
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| Round 1, 2013 |
The two men
have taken drastically different paths to their current point in the NRL. They
have had clouds hang over their heads, chips on their shoulder, and obstacles
to overcome. The way they have taken on these journeys has seen them become the
men they are today, and provide a valuable insight into why they are the
players they are.
SBW’s exit
from the Bulldogs sent him overseas to French Rugby Union and put simply, earned
him the title of Rugby League’s biggest dog. The walk out left him with few
friends in the game or country, and was probably a driving force for his
success in Rugby Union. A world cup winner and Super Rugby Champion with the
Chiefs, SBW also became a devoted Muslim during this time adhering to the strict
lifestyle of the faith. It appears though, SBW always knew he would have to one
day return to the game that made him and help restore his reputation. That came
in the form of a handshake with Roosters boss Nick Politis. Uncle Nick knew
what Williams could bring to a club that for so long had been rife with a loose
culture in a city of distractions. The story of Sonny Bill turning up to the first
training session with a notebook ready to take notes was a strange one to old
Rugby League heads, but an indication of how professional he had become. Being
such a strong personality and carrying the aura he does, he almost single handily
reformed the culture of the Roosters through his actions alone. Combined with new
direction of well schooled Head Coach Trent Robinson, and the holistic approach
to health and fitness from Strength Coach Keegan Smith the Roosters finally got
off the booze and took the game to a new level. Ultimately resulting in a
premiership for the tri-colours, an astounding achievement considering they had
a rookie coach, almost half a team of new players and where they ran the year
before. SBW’s year in 2014 has seen some solid performances, but he hasn’t had
that class and domination of last year in recent weeks. Many will be waiting
for him to explode tonight.
Sam’s ride
to his third successive NRL preliminary final began in Northern England, where
he played for the Bradford Bulls as a teenager. In this time while establishing
himself as bucking young forward, he also cared for his father before he sadly passed
away, often carrying his dad up the stairs to his bed in their Yorkshire home.
If that doesn’t make you grow up quick, nothing will. Ironically dubbed in 2006
as “England’s Sonny Bill”, Burgess went on to establish himself as one of the
best forwards in the Super League and made eye catching appearances for Great
Britain and England. Soon the prodigy would be courted by South’s’ owner
Russell Crowe and convinced to come to the NRL. In 2009, Rusty gained Burgess' signature
and promised South Sydney fans the greatest signing since his takeover of the
club. On the day Burgess made his debut at the historic Redfern Oval for a pre-season
trial, the gladiator presented Sam with a membership card and number with his
father’s name on it. The relationship Russell built with Sam was key to signing
him, and has been key to his performances for the foundation club ever since.
Burgess has now been at the forefront of the game for 4 years, coming onto the
scene with a ripping game for the All Stars in 2010, holding nothing back when
slamming the Preston Campbell into the ground and looking for heads straight
after. His highlight real ever since is endless, and the shoulders, runs and hits
have been felt long after by those he’s come up against. After falling just one
game short of the Grand Final for the last two years, Burgess realised the need
to knuckle down and has finally kept out of the social pages, focusing purely
on football in what will be his last year. It’s no coincidence that by keeping
quiet this year, he is genuinely in the running for the Dally M.
With their teams
having not played against each other in a finals game for 76 years, and cross
city rivalries that go back to 1908, no player will want to leave the field
tonight after losing. Whatever the case, both players have become greats in
their own rights, and will be remembered forever at their famous clubs. This
final, epic showdown between these two powerhouses will be one for the ages, and
provides one of the most tantalising build ups to a game in recent memory. Will
Sam finally complete his journey down under and take South Sydney to within 80
minutes of their first premiership in 43 years? Or will SBW carry the Roosters
to another title, becoming one of only a select group to have won 3 NRL titles
in their career. Honestly, if you call yourself a Rugby League fan and you’re
not at ANZ stadium tonight to see this clash the game has been waiting for, take
a good hard look in the mirror. What a showdown and fight this is going to be. Some
say the grand final has come early, but Rugby League has a funny way of
throwing up the unexpected. What will tonight bring?
The two greats rivalry...