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Sam Burgess calls out Rob Andrew over World Cup criticism

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Sam Burgess has told Rob Andrew to “pick up a phone and call me” after the former RFU director reiterated his claim that selecting the rugby league convert was behind England’s failure at the rugby union World Cup.

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Stuart Lancaster’s decision to name Burgess in England’s squad for the 2015 tournament despite his limited experience in the 15-man format was met with surprise, and when the hosts failed to make it out of the group stages the critics’ knives were sharpened.

In his new book, Andrew claimed Burgess’ inclusion had a “negative effect” and, speaking to BBC Breakfast, repeated his view that it was a “risk” from then head coach Lancaster.

“I think there’s been a lot of focus on the one page [of the book] on Sam Burgess – there’s a lot of other stuff around the World Cup,” he said.

“I think the issue was, and my big comment around it, is that head coaches get judged on their results and they have to make decisions around selection and Sam Burgess was a massive decision. And it’s not just blaming Sam, it wasn’t Sam’s fault that he was picked to play for England.

“But it changed the dynamic of that squad going into a World Cup and head coaches live or die by the decisions they take – and we didn’t get out of our group in a home World Cup.

“It was a massive risk, a massive decision Stuart took and it didn’t pay off.

“He [Lancaster] did such a lot of good work and then a few decisions – and in the biggest tournament in our sport – went wrong in a home World Cup.”

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But Burgess has taken exception to Andrew’s comments and called out the former fly-half on Twitter.

He wrote: “I think Rob Andrew should pick up the phone and call me.”

The tweet received the support of Australia international Matt Giteau, who said the Wallabies had put plenty of work into finding a way to counter Burgess.

“Mate you were a challenge for me at that World Cup. A lot of review time spent on you. He is off the mark by a long way,” Giteau wrote.

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Replying to Giteau, Burgess commented: “Legend. Anyhow, hope you’re well pal, look forward to catching up when you’re back in Aus. Hope family are well lad.”

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BeamMeUp 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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