Burgess seeks second Sharks win in six months

Burgess scored the match-sealing try for Souths in 12-6 NRL triumph against the Sharks, in front of 7,588 fans last August.

Now he is looking to repeat the trick against the Australian premiers in Sunday’s mouth-watering World Club Challenge showdown. The 22-year-old said: “They are beatable, 100 per cent.

“At the time I played them (in August), they were near the top of the NRL ladder and Souths weren’t at their best, so anything can happen.”

Burgess targeted the opening 20 minutes as being “massive for us” – though he says it is vital the outcome is not decided before kick-off.

“Some teams are beaten before (the game),” said Burgess, referring to the habit of placing NRL players on a pedestal. “People talk them up, and you can’t knock them, because they are good. But we’re good, too.

“You have to have that belief, and we do have that belief. We believe we can win.”

Burgess scored a stunning try against Brisbane in the World Club Series two years ago to send the game to sudden-death – only for the visiting side to win with a penalty.

He missed last year’s encounter as he was in the NRL, first with the Sydney Roosters before moving to Michael Maguire’s Souths where he enjoyed much more success. Burgess – who announced himself on the big stage by starring in the 2014 WCC against the Roosters – returned to Wigan this year, and scored a try in Sunday’s 26-16 opening game against Salford.

“It was nice to get a try, there are still areas I need to work on but it was good to be back out there again,” he said.