Burns ignored his battle with flu to upset Huddersfield

The Australian stand-off kicked a difficult conversion after the full-time hooter to secure a dramatic 24-24 draw on Sunday.

But, after seeing his side trail by 12 points with just three minutes to go, Burns conceded he was almost on his knees by the end.

“I’d been battling with the flu all week and it was tough just getting through the match,” explained Hull KR’s co-captain.

“I’d been having steam baths to try and get rid of it and had some sleepless nights. I still feel pretty crook now and can barely talk.

“I’ve almost lost my voice and it was really hard making calls out there. I don’t think some of the guys could hear me at times.

“But it’s just something you have to deal with over here with the weather being like it is.”

People will be amused hearing the animated Burns is almost mute given his reputation as one of Super League’s most vocal and volatile characters.

It was his ability with the boot, however, that came to the fore.

The 30-year-old is not a renowned goal-kicker having contributed just 17 goals in three seasons with Manly, none while at North Queensland Cowboys and only 25 in 55 games for Penrith.

But his success ratio is high and, when regular marksman Michael Dobson returned to the NRL last winter, Burns was keen to take on the duty.

He said: “It’s something I’ve done since my junior days and I kicked a lot in reserve grade.

“I’ve been practising a lot during the off-season and I do enjoy it. Sunday’s was one of those kicks I wasn’t sure about as it was into a strong wind.

“But I struck it well and it managed to go over so we got a pretty big point. It was a valuable one.”

After securing their first point of the year, he is recuperating now in readiness for Friday’s televised home game with a Castleford 
Tigers side that have emerged as early Super League leaders.

“I should be fine as I’ve a few more days to get it cleared up and then we’ll move on to an in-form Castleford,” added the Exiles star.

“We didn’t play great at times at the weekend but we really dug in in that second half. Huddersfield are a hard enough team to beat at the best of times so to get a draw there was a great result.”

Hull KR’s Justin Poore and Huddersfield Giants’ Joe Wardle, who were both cited for punching during a brawl in the game at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday, will face the RFL disciplinary tonight.

Wakefield Trinity’s Dean Collis has been charged too with making grade C dangerous contact with Bradford Bulls’ Lee Gaskell in the first minute of Thursday’s match, Gaskell left with a knee injury that could see him out for three months.

London Broncos’ Scott Moore, Catalan prop Julien Bousquet and Wigan’s Eddie Pettybourne have all also been charged with offences.

Leeds Rhinos’ Kevin Sinfield is “unlikely” to play at Catalan on Friday according to coach Brian McDermott, after suffering an ankle injury against Warrington.

Tetley’s Challenge Cup third round draw (ties to be played March 15-16): Milford v Barrow, Rochdale v Gloucestershire All Golds, Keighley v Wath Brow, Dewsbury v West Hull, Sheffield Eagles v East Leeds, British Army v Doncaster, Hull Dockers v Halifax, Batley v Kells, South Wales Scorpions v Hemel, Normanton v Workington, York v Whitehaven, Swinton v Gateshead, Egremont v Oldham, Hunslet v Oxford, North Wales Crusaders v Pilkington Recs, Wigan St Patrick’s v Leigh.