How Joe Burgess kicked bad habits to star in Hull KR's treble-winning season
In February 2017, as a fresh-faced 22-year-old, Joe Burgess felt on top of the world.
The winger had just scored a hat-trick to help inspire Wigan Warriors to a famous World Club Challenge victory over Cronulla Sharks.
Nine years on, Burgess returns to the same stage with Hull KR – older, wiser and with a clearer sense of who he is.
As players move into their thirties, raw pace and instinct are no longer enough. Marginal gains – on and off the field – become essential.
For Burgess, that meant confronting habits that were holding him back, from alcohol to pornography.
The results speak for themselves: the 31-year-old played a starring role in Hull KR's treble-winning campaign in 2025.
It is a topic that matters, not only for Burgess but for athletes everywhere. Habits cultivated in private can shape performance on the field, mental health off it and the longevity of a sporting career.
"I've changed a few things about my life and it shows," said Burgess.
"I've been reading a lot more and from that you learn a few things – cutting out bad habits. I don't mind talking about it because it's definitely an issue, not just for myself but throughout the world.
"I changed a few things about my diet and stopped watching porn. Honestly, if any man or woman feels like they have a problem with it, just stop for a month or two and come back to me and tell me it hasn't made a difference. It's definitely made a difference in my life.
"It wasn't making me feel better so why was I doing it? I just stopped. I haven't watched porn in about two years. It's given me more energy."
Burgess has proved it on the field, scoring a double in KR's maiden Grand Final win over former club Wigan to finish 2025 with 24 tries in 25 appearances. That kind of output doesn’t happen by accident.
"I'm not drinking as much either," he added. "When you're a bit younger, you play well, you win and you're out every weekend.
"Now I'm a bit older, I know I can't do that. You have a drink and your old injuries blow up like a balloon.
"I've drank less and less over the past couple of years and will do the same this year."
The last time Burgess experienced a World Club Challenge, he had every reason to celebrate.
With three tries against the NRL champions, the Wigan native wrote his name into folklore with his hometown club.
Burgess will walk out at the MKM Stadium this Thursday with a sense of belonging.
"I got over for a hat-trick and ended up lifting that trophy so I've got very fond memories,” he said ahead of Hull KR's showdown with Brisbane Broncos.
"Even when I played against the Roosters in 2014, which was my fourth professional game. I was coming up against Sonny Bill (Williams), Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves) and Shaun Kenny-Dowall. I felt so out of place but absolutely loved the experience.
"It made me realise what I needed to do to get to that level."
The road back to the pinnacle of the sport has been anything but smooth for Burgess.
In early 2024, he was sacked by Salford Red Devils on disciplinary grounds after failing to report for training.
Rovers quickly snapped him up – and the rest is history.
Asked if joining the Robins was one of the best decisions he had ever made, Burgess replied: "One hundred per cent.
"How it came about was a weird one. God bless Mother Nature for making those roads too icy to drive on.
"That's why I'm such a massive believer that everything happens for a reason. It's worked out great.
"I could tell the club were on the up when I joined. I'd like to think I've added to it and helped the club make history."
Last week's defeat at Super League newcomers York Knights highlighted the challenge Rovers face in their bid for sustained success.
One result won't define KR's season but it was a reminder of the standards they must maintain.
"Last year I wrote a few things to myself to manifest what I wanted to achieve and it worked," said Burgess. "I've done the same again this year.
"When you go against the champs, you push yourselves even harder to beat the champs. We know every team we play will be at their best.
"None of us dipped below a seven out of 10 last year; I think it'll be the same for every other team when they play us this year. They'll empty their tanks.
"It'll be a good challenge. We know we've got a chance to really cement ourselves in history.
"You see how passionate the people here are for rugby league and the growth of the club. We want to give those fans as much success as possible."