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Sam Burgess passes during a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL training session at Redfern Oval last year.
Police investigations into the allegations against Sam Burgess and the South Sydney rugby league club have escalated after the matter was referred to the NSW organized crime team.
Strike Force Irrabella has the job after explosive allegations broadcast on The australian of drug use and domestic violence. The report claimed that South Sydney was aware of the allegations but covered up its star player.
Burgess retired from his roles as Rabbitohs’ training assistant and Fox Sports commentator on Friday.
“The organized crime squad under Strike Force Irrabella has launched an investigation,” NSW police said in a statement.
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According to The australian According to the report, South Sydney physician Andrew McDonald treated Burgess with a tranquilizer to calm him during a drug-induced episode, but wrote the prescription in someone else’s name.
It was also alleged that another doctor arranged blood tests for Burgess under a different name, and that it was later alleged that that test showed positive signs for a number of recreational drugs, including MDMA.
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Sam Burgess is on the Rabbitohs coaching staff.
In his pre-game press conference Saturday morning, coach Wayne Bennett said McDonald would continue his duties with the team for Sunday’s final clash with Newcastle.
“The team physician is one of the most honest people I’ve ever met and worked with,” Bennett said.
“He has been here for 25 years. Anyone who knows the team doctor knows his ethics, and he does a great job here. I wouldn’t dare say what the club doctor has or has not done.”
“He’ll be with the team tomorrow. He wasn’t here this morning because he doesn’t come on Saturdays. He’ll be with the team tomorrow and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t.”
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South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett watches his Rabbitohs beat the Manly Sea Eagles in their first game back after a two-week absence for a violation of NRL biosecurity regulations.
Bennett, who has a long association with Burgess that began internationally with the England team, claimed that he was personally unaware of any of the allegations and responded to suggestions that they were widely known at the club.
“That’s not true. I wasn’t very well known at the club because I’ve been here since the 18th and I didn’t know anything until they told me in the last 24 hours,” Bennett said.
“Never has a player or staff member talked to me about it in any way.
“They are accusations. When we gather all the facts and see this at the end of the day, we will take another position on it and make another statement.”
When asked about Burgess’s alleged drug problems, Bennett said, “That’s the first time I’ve seen him take drugs.
“I never heard a rumor in the club about Sam Burgess doing drugs.”
