'Blowing a big hole' Jon Wilkin airs verdict on new Huddersfield Giants recruit

Jon Wilkin believes new Huddersfield Giants signing Tom Burgess has 'blowed' a huge hole in the club's salary cap, with the pressure now on to deliver. The 32-year-old prop, part of arguably the most famous family in British rugby league, has signed a three-year deal with the West Yorkshire club from 2025, a move that shocked all when it was announced earlier this year.

Burgess has spent the last 12 years in the NRL, making just shy of 250 appearances for South Sydney Rabbitohs. Before that, he debuted with Bradford Bulls in Super League, and has featured for England throughout the last decade.

He is now set for a return to the competition where it all began and was unveiled as a Giants player during England's Test series with Samoa. Meanwhile, Wilkin has described the signing as 'massive' but has declared that Huddersfield will need a bit more than Burgess, who stands at 6' foot 5", if they're going 'to do anything' next season.

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The pundit also spoke of elder brother Sam Burgess, who enjoyed a stellar first season in charge of Warrington Wolves, finishing third and making the Challenge Cup final. The two brothers will meet in Super League's opening round at the John Smith's Stadium in February.

"That family is used to competing against each other," Wilkin said on the Verdict. "They’ve spent their full lives competing with each other. They’re just winners.

"Sam Burgess in his first year: what can you say about him? He showed a maturity that you just don’t see from naive coaches. He made some huge cultural steps at Warrington that were big things to take on, and he tackled them. He’s now going to be facing up against his brother Tom, who comes over from the NRL on a shed load of cash. In a salary-cap sport, Tom Burgess is blowing a big hole in the salary cap. There’s some pressure there."

Asked if the move is exciting, Wilkmin continued: "For sure. It’s massive for Huddersfield, but they got rid of their head coach last season. Luke Robinson is in charge now. Is Tom Burgess the answer? He’s probably part of the answer, but they need more than just Tom Burgess if they’re going to do anything next year."