From a prank phone call to the pinnacle of rugby league
In short: Joe Burgess's rise in professional rugby was nearly derailed by a joke. After being asked to train with the first team, he jokingly dismissed the request as a prank over the phone. Instead of a practical joke, it was the start of a career spanning three countries and multiple trophies.
Born in Wigan in 1994, Burgess joined the local club Ince Rose Bridge before entering the Wigan Warriors' academy at age 16. His early trajectory was explosive; during the 2013 U19 season, he scored 24 tries in just 18 appearances. This prolific form earned him a professional debut in 2013 against Hull FC. By 2014, he established himself as a primary winger for Wigan, notably scoring four tries in a dominant 52–8 victory over the Dewsbury Rams on April 4.
His career is defined by high-stakes performances and international movement. After a standout rookie season in 2014—where he scored 22 tries across various competitions—he moved to Australia in 2016 to join the Sydney Roosters. His time in the NRL was volatile, involving a mid-season loan to the South Sydney Rabbitohs and a brief stint with the North Sydney Bears after being dropped for poor form. Despite interest from Australian clubs to keep him, Burgess chose to return to England in 2017.
Upon his return to Wigan, Burgess became a cornerstone of their success. He helped secure a record-breaking fourth World Club Challenge title in February 2018, becoming only the second player in that competition's history to score a hat trick in a final. His versatility also became a hallmark; during an injury crisis at Wigan, he successfully transitioned to playing as a centre while maintaining his high scoring output.
In recent years, Burgess joined Hull Kingston Rovers, where he played a pivotal role in their historic 2025 season. He helped the club secure its first major trophy in 40 years during the Challenge Cup and contributed to a League Leaders Shield win. His journey reached new heights in late 2025 when he scored twice in a Super League Grand Final victory over his former club, Wigan.
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