Cook 2020-23 Contract Extension
5th December 2018
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are excited to announce the contract extension of international front row forward Thomas Burgess until the end of the 2023 season. Burgess, 26, has made 119 NRL appearances since making his debut against Parramatta in 2013, adding to his 46 first team games for the Bradford Bulls in the English Super League before joining his three brothers Sam, George and Luke at South Sydney. Thomas has gone on to represent England in 25 Test matches over the past six seasons as well as playing for the World All Stars in 2016. Thomas was part of the Rabbitohs premiership-winning 2014 team and was also part of the team that defeated St Helens in the 2015 World Club Challenge.
Burgess is very happy to be continuing his tenure with South Sydney. "Souths is all I've known and I'm really pumped to be signed up long term now," Burgess said. "The Club gave me a chance when I came to Australia for the first time, a 20-year-old young lad, not knowing what to expect. Now six or seven years down the track, I'm still enjoying my football here. I love calling Sydney home and I wouldn't want to play anywhere else in the NRL than with the Rabbitohs. To play my 100th game with Souths last year was really significant for me, but now it's about quality rather than quantity and I want to play my best each week. I'm looking forward to getting out there and performing for the Members. They are the cornerstone of our Club and without them, the Club wouldn't be in the position it's in today. I'm really looking forward to the seasons ahead and wearing that famous Red and Green jersey."
Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, says Burgess is one of the key components of South Sydney's forward pack. "Tom has shown great improvement in his game each season since he joined the Rabbitohs back in 2013 and we believe his best football is in front of him," Mr Richardson said. "He is a big body in the middle for us, he has worked hard on his attack and equally so on his defence in recent seasons. "He is also a great character to have around the team and a positive influence on the younger players in the squad. "He understands what South Sydney is all about, he lives and breathes The Rabbitoh Way, and we know that he will give his best every time he represents the Rabbitohs, on or off the field. "He is one of the best props in the game worldwide and we're really happy to know that he will be representing our Club for at least the next five years."