For today’s throwback we’re winding the clock back to October 2007.
A fresh faced 18-year-old forward from Dewsbury was about to rock the international scene for Great Britain after a stellar rookie season with Bradford Bulls.
Unbeknownst to many at the time, though, this 18-year-old would go on to become one of the UK’s most successful rugby league players.
He went on to make over 250 club appearances, earned over 25 international caps, captained his country and won the NRL Premiership. We are, of course, talking about Sam Burgess.
Despite his more recent accolades, the moment that arguably put him on the map was THAT hit on New Zealand enforcer Fuifui Moimoi.
The explosive Kiwi had already overcome a number of GB players, including Gareth Ellis, in what was the first of three Tests between the nations and had his sights set on running straight over Burgess with a return from a goal-line dropout.
That, however, isn’t how things turned out…
Burgess put in a monster hit to send Fuifui flying to floor and end the first test with a bang – literally.
The pair would go on to continue their famous feud when Burgess moved to the NRL with South Sydney Rabbitohs three years later.
That night, though, Great Britain went on to win the game 20-14 with Burgess also scoring a try, while the Lions eventually won the series by whitewashing the Kiwis 3-0.
Here’s the full highlights from the first test:
