SAM Burgess has held his first press conference since arriving to coach Warrington Wolves and is keen that things don’t become all about him.
Arguably the highest profile English rugby league player for more than 20 years, Burgess has been appointed to try and end Warrington’s league trophy drought after a stellar career in the NRL.
He was appointed by the Wolves on a two-year deal to succeed Daryl Powell back in August, following a stint as assistant coach at South Sydney Rabbitohs, the club he represented in Australia during his playing days.
Burgess said: “It’s great to be back here in England and of course the first time living this side of the Pennines.
“I walked around Lymm dam on Saturday morning and it was different to walking down the coasts and in the eastern suburbs in Australia! It was difficult to leave in some respects, but super excited by the opportunity with the club, the town itself and the people connected. Just got to get used to the weather again!
“It’s exciting for me, it’s going to be a great challenge. But don’t get me wrong, we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
After a lightning start to last season, Powell was eventually dismissed by Warrington following a dismal run of form, with interim coach Gary Chambers leading them to the play-offs and defeat to St Helens.
There haven’t been wholesale changes to the Wolves squad, though they have added three signings from Down Under in back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Papua New Guinea international centre Rodrick Tai and prop Zane Musgrove.
Toby King is returning following his loan spell at Wigan, where he won the Super League Grand Final, after dramatically falling out with the club not long after signing a lucrative, long-term deal back in 2022. A tweak to the salary cap rules around marquee players means it was a no brainer for Warrington bring him back and make use of the extra cap space that brought about.
Hooker Brad Dwyer returns to the club from Hull, replacing long-serving Daryl Clark, who has moved to St Helens to replace retired legend James Roby.
Other departures from the first team squad are centres Peter Mata’utia and Greg Minikin, while Thomas Mikaele has returned to Australia after his brief return at the back end of last season.
Burgess added: “It’s always a fluid situation with squads, but we’re pretty set on where we’re at. I’ll need to get my head around the (salary) cap here and what you can and can’t do, there’s a bit more freedom with players on loan which is new to me.
“That’s not to say there might be a small bit of movement in the coming months.”
Burgess will be the youngest coach in Super League when the season comes back round at the start of 2024 – he’s even younger than one of his players, Stefan Ratchford.
His profile will inevitably attract attention, though taking inspiration from some of the legends of the game he’s worked with, including former England coach Wayne Bennett, he is keen to play that down.
“The profile is not going to help me coach. You’ve got to do your job, connect with your players and grow trust.
“I’ve got a good feeling about it. I won’t make any bold statements. We’ve got plenty of hard work to do.”
