Sam Burgess

Former NRL star Sam Burgess denies drug use following arrest

Burgess, who represented England in both rugby league and rugby union and enjoyed a high-profile career in Australia's NRL, was taken to Maroubra police station after failing the drug test, the reports said.

The former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain and now assistant coach was also given a court notice for allegedly driving with a suspended licence.

"After being pulled over... by an unmarked police car, an initial roadside drug test was taken, which showed positive to cocaine," Burgess said in a statement on Instagram.

Ex-NRL star Sam Burgess plans to go rural to start coaching apprenticeship

Burgess has cleared his head after spending a month in a rehabilitation facility and told Australia’s The Sun-Herald newspaper: “The next aim is to re-start my professional life and I want to be involved with rugby league again”.

The English enforcer remains on the payroll at South Sydney but stood himself down late last year once the NRL and NSW Police investigated allegations of drug use and domestic violence, which were levelled against him in The Australian. Burgess quickly denied the allegations.

Former NRL star Sam Burgess has allegedly failed a drugs test after being stopped by police

Highway Patrol officers stopped the 32-year-old in his BMW X5 on the Hume Highway at Braemar about 1.30pm (3.30pm NZT) on Monday.

NSW Police say the former South Sydney Rabbitohs player was subjected to a random roadside drug test and was taken to Southern Highlands Police Station where a second oral fluid test was carried out.

The sample from the second test was sent away for further analysis, police said.

Burgess is due to face Moss Vale Local Court on May 4 on charges of driving a vehicle without a licence. Police further allege the vehicle is unregistered.

Sam Burgess: Ex-Rugby League star guilty of intimidation in Australia

A Sydney court on Friday ruled Burgess had intimidated Mitchell Hooke, his ex-wife's father, with the intention of causing physical or mental harm.

Burgess pleaded not guilty to the charge last year, relating to an incident at Mr Hooke's home in 2019.

He was given a conviction and placed on a two-year good behaviour bond.

The court heard competing accounts over the incident, which came as Burgess visited his children after separating from his ex-wife, Phoebe Burgess.

A row escalated after Mr Hooke asked Burgess to leave, the trial was told.

Police to investigate allegations against Rabbitohs, Sam Burgess

It comes after a story in The Australian claiming the club covered up alleged domestic violence and drug use by Burgess and that a senior club staffer facilitated the coverup.

Burgess has denied the allegations and South Sydney has been contacted for comment.

In a statement, a NSW police spokesperson said: "On Wednesday 30th September officers from the Hume Police District received a report outlining various allegations relating to the conduct of a 31-year-old man.

Sam Burgess charged with intimidation after domestic dispute

Burgess is alleged to have been involved in an incident with the father of his estranged wife at Glenquarry, east of Bowral.

According to a NSW Police statement: "About 4pm on Saturday 19 October 2019, police were called to an address at Glenquarry, in relation to a domestic dispute. 

"Police from The Hume Police District attended and an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order was applied for on behalf of a 63-year-old man. Following further inquiries, on Wednesday 30 October 2019, a 30-year-old man was charged with the offence of Intimidation (DV related). 

Sam Burgess accepts two-match ban for Sezer hit

Sam Burgess was hit with a Grade 2 careless high tackle charge following an incident involving Aidan Sezer in the 59th minute of Saturday's match.

He chose to take the early guilty plea, which now means he will miss the next two matches.

George Burgess was handed a Grade 1 careless high tackle charge following a tackle on Raiders forward. By taking the early guilty plea, George will be fined $1550 but will be free to take on the Broncos on Thursday night.

 

Sam Burgess to fight suspension at judiciary

Burgess was cited for dangerous contact – head/neck (grade one) for a 57th minute incident in which he appeared to raise a forearm as he carried the ball into a Josh Morris tackle.

Charged! Melbourne’s Will Chambers, South Sydney’s Sam Burgess facing suspensions

In the aftermath of a heated Good Friday of NRL action, Chambers and Burgess were both charged with dangerous contract by the match review committee.

Chambers was cited for a grapple tackle on Paul Gallen at the conclusion of Cronulla’s upset win over the premiers.

It will only heighten tensions between Chambers and Gallen after the Storm outside back last year sledged the Cronulla skipper as a “drug cheat”.

The Queensland and Australian three-quarter was hit with a grade two offence and is facing a fortnight on the sidelines even with an early guilty plea.

Burgess could return for last eight

South Sydney Rabbitohs star Burgess was forced off in the first half of England's 18-4 loss to holders and co-hosts Australia in Melbourne on Friday.

It was feared the 28-year-old would be ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

But Burgess has now been examined by a knee specialist, prompting England's medical staff to forecast his return to the playing squad "earlier than anticipated".