Joe Burgess and his Hull KR team-mates enjoyed days of celebrations that they’ll never forget.
Hull KR’s Joe Burgess in Old Trafford changing rooms after their Grand Final win over Wigan Warriors.
The team’s coach journey back from Manchester, the homecoming parade at Hull City Hall, and 24 hours in Portugal – Joe Burgess enjoyed three unforgettable days of celebrations before reporting to England duty after earning his first recall in 10 years.
For Burgess and his team-mates, these were moments they’ll never forget. The East Hull heroes enjoyed an open-top bus parade from their Craven Park HQ to the City Hall balcony, greeted by a sea of red and white supporters after their Grand Final triumph to complete the treble.
“The coach back from Manchester was one of the best times I’ve ever had in my life,” said the winger, who ended his own Grand Final hoodoo with a win on the fifth attempt.
“It was even better than the Wembley one – it was unreal. It was what we deserved. We earned the right to party all weekend, and party we did.”
Amid the celebrations, Burgess revealed he had missed a call from England head coach Shaun Wane – the call that confirmed his return to the international stage after a decade away.
But Burgess smiled: “As soon as he said I was selected, I turned it down a gear – pint, water, pint, water.
“The parade was unreal. It was even better than Wembley. I think there were twice as many people, or I had double vision – one of the two.
“It was such a good experience, and showed what it meant to the city and for everyone’s friends and family. It was a great time.”
After writing their names into club folklore, the celebrations rolled on for the Hull KR squad. But for Burgess and his England team-mates, the party was short-lived. An early flight home awaited as preparations began for the first Ashes series in 22 years, with Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten also in Wane’s camp.
“I only got back from Portugal on Tuesday,” Burgess laughed.
“It was less than 24 hours in Portugal. We had just landed, and we got the England schedule come through that we were in on Wednesday, so I had to book an earlier flight home.
“It was all worth it, it was such good fun.”
Burgess previously earned three England caps in 2015, scoring on his debut against France before featuring twice in the series against New Zealand.
The winger has been a standout performer under head coach Willie Peters this season, scoring 24 tries in 25 appearances during Hull KR’s unprecedented campaign. Despite missing the final three games of the regular Super League season with a calf injury, Burgess was determined to return for the play-offs – and keep his England hopes alive.
“I had a phone call with Shaun just over a month ago, asking him what I needed to do to be in the squad,” the 30-year-old said. “He just said to keep my head down and keep the way I was playing.
“About an hour later, I had a call saying I had a tear in my calf. I worked hard, and I did everything I could to get back fit and it paid off.”
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