Former South Sydney Rabbitohs player Sam Burgess has returned a negative secondary drug test after being pulled over by police and allegedly testing positive to cocaine in December last year.
Burgess was initially arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station for further testing, before denying any wrongdoing following the incident.
He was represented at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday by his lawyer Bryan Wrench, accused of driving with a suspended licence.
MORE: NRL 2023 - Every club’s most debated position
“There are no drugs in Mr Burgess’ system. In fact, we’ve got a hair test as well to confirm that,” Wrench told the court, as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I just want to make it quite clear ... those tests have come back completely negative.”
Burgess - who is currently an assistant coach at the Rabbitohs - will now plead not guilty to driving unlicensed, the court was told.
The former back-rower shared a statement via social media.
"As expected, today's court hearing revealed that the secondary drug test taken by the Police on the morning of 12/22 returned a negative result to all illicit drugs," Burgess wrote.
"Their allegations have been hurtful and damaging, but I continue to move forward.
"I am contesting that I was driving with a suspended license. I can't comment further, and this will be resolved in due course.
"As I continue to live a transparent life, clean and sober from drugs, my sole focus is to be a loving father and a positive influence on all people around me."
Burgess will contest the driving while suspended charge at a hearing in February 2024.
His lawyer stated Burgess did not know he was driving without a licence.
