11 February 2024 , 17:00
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Joe Burgess says his Salford sacking was “s****” but he’ll make the most of his Hull KR chance.
The ex-England winger was kicked out of the Red Devils last month following an investigation into an undisclosed disciplinary matter. They deemed his conduct not “consistent with the club’s expected standards” but he plans to fight their decision. In the meantime, Rovers gave him a one-year deal and the former Wigan star is ready to grasp it.
On his controversial Salford exit, Burgess, 29, insisted: “It’s gone now. I’ve put it behind me. I’m ready just to crack on with this. It was s**** how it happened. I really got along with everyone in the club and really enjoyed playing there.
“I really enjoyed their company, they’re a good set of lads and I loved trying hard for them. But s*** happens doesn’t it? I’m just brushing it now and ignoring it. I just want to get playing rugby again. Luckily, a good opportunity came here at Hull KR and I couldn’t turn that down. I’m enjoying it here.”
Burgess, who scored 23 tries in 54 games for Salford over the last three years, knows he faces a fight for a spot in Willie Peters’ side who kick-off Super League at derby rivals Hull FC on Thursday. Veteran England wideman Ryan Hall is playing as well as ever and KR plan to use Niall Evalds on the right wing after the full-back was recruited from Castleford.
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Burgess said: “I’ll definitely put my hand up [for the derby] but I’m not rushing anything. I’ve not done loads of training. I’m just looking to get a bit of fitness under my belt and then I can really go at it hard.”
Joe Burgess scoring for Salford against Hull KR at last year's Magic Weekend (Getty Images)And he’s looking forward to hopefully linking up again with his best mate Oliver Gildart, the ex-Wigan and England centre who’s also joined after spells with Wests Tigers and Leigh. Burgess said: “We went to Vegas together last year and we were talking about this year.
“I never thought I’d be at the same club yet here we are! It's been a crazy two months but I’m hoping to get some game-time with him again. We’re all competing for the wing spots but Hally’s a bit of a goat isn’t he?! He’s got that left side cemented. But there might be times when I get a chance to play outside him [Gildart] again. It’d be nice.”
Burgess scored 103 tries in 129 games for Wigan over two spells including a hat-trick in the 2007 World Club Challenge win against Cronulla when Gildart also crossed. On his future beyond 2024, he said: “I’m hoping to get into the KR team as soon as I can, show what I can do and hopefully they can re-sign me for longer.”