Lions prop hails fellow Rabbitohs star Johnston

By NATHAN WOTI
LIONS forward Burgess says he is not surprised about fellow South Sydney Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston’s inclusion in the Kumuls starting side for Saturday’s clash at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
“It’s always good to play against teammates and Alex is a quality player,” 27-year-old Burgess said at the Stanley Hotel and Suites yesterday.
“Johnston is a smart footballer and he’s got very good organisational skills.
“So he’ll be great for the Kumuls defensive line.
“He’ll be making sure the boys get the numbers right.
“That’s what he does really well for us at South Sydney.
“He will be a big asset for the Kumuls.
“You can’t underestimate his inclusion.”
Burgess will play without his older brother and former Lions captain Sam, after the 30-year-old announced his immediate retirement last month due to a shoulder injury he had suffered earlier this year.
“It’s sad it happened, it’s not what anyone wanted,” he said.
“But it has happened now and we’ve just got to move on.
“I’m happy for him that he’s made the decision and he is at peace with it.”
Burgess said it would be different playing without his brother but he was ready to step up as a senior player and lead on the field.
Lions assistant coach Ian Watson said the clash would be interesting, given the Kumuls were coming off a two-point loss to Fiji in New Zealand last weekend.