Sam Burgess’s stunning coaching debut for Orara Valley Axemen sets up Greg Inglis clash
Sam was the man in a brilliant coaching debut, with the famous Burgess brother setting up an all star clash against fellow NRL great Greg Inglis.
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Sam’s the man.
In his first game as a rugby league coach, Sam Burgess’ Orara Valley Axemen have spanked Sawtell by 58-4 in a group two game on the NSW north coast.
It comes as Burgess’ former Rabbitohs’ teammate Greg Inglis helped Macksville to a thumping 42-6 win over Nambucca Heads in another group two game on Sunday.
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The results have set up what should be a juicy match between Burgess’ Orara Valley and Inglis’ Macksville on May 29.
After a five-month pre-season, Burgess guided his Axemen to a whopping 11 try win over the Panthers at Rex Hardaker Oval, Sawtell.
“We won pretty convincingly – it was good. It was a relief,” Burgess said. “I was pretty calm. I didn’t really know how the game was going to go because we are a new team but the guys had trained well.
“I was really happy with our defensive effort. We kept them to four points and we scrambled hard in defence when we didn’t need to because we were leading well.
“I was really happy with our spirit – the Valley is back, which is nice. It’s a really good start. It’s nice we could actually start playing. Everyone was ready to play. We’d had a few trial matches cancelled so it was just good to get off the mark.
“I’ll tell you what I was happy with, it was a full house in Sawtell, it was their home game and they had a lot of supporters there. We had a lot of fans there too which was great. There were a lot of kids at the game, it was just a great atmosphere.
“The sun was out, there was a lot of energy and while Sawtell was beaten convincingly everyone was happy and we’re all going to get together for a beer and the presentation.”
Asked if he make any pre-game ‘Churchillian’ speeches, a cheeky Burgess said: “No, I will save those … don’t want to use them too early.”
Orara Valley withdrew from the competition two and a half years ago and only returned after Burgess and club management worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the club.
Sawtell was also returning from a three-year hiatus.
“Sam has done a fantastic job. He’s exceptional. The hype he has brought to the Valley and the club, you can’t match it,” said Orara Valley secretary Katie Fletcher.
“He is a massive inspiration to all the players. It’s an amazing start, we couldn’t be happier.
“For us, from a behind-the-scenes perspective, working in the background for nearly three years, we couldn’t be any prouder today for all the hard work put in by everyone.
“It was a fantastic day for both clubs given we both missed last year.”
Wearing jumper number 17, Inglis, 35, played 20 minutes in his side’s big win.
“Greg had a couple of good runs. He got shortened up on his first hit-up but he was solid and defended really well,” said Jackson Elphick, a spectator at the Macksville-Nambucca game.
Macksville scored eight tries-to-one.
Burgess’ friend, South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe, who lives in nearby Nana Glen, was absent from the match having flown to the UK last week to start a new project.
Bush coaching debut only the beginning for Burgess
He accomplished everything as a player and now a bold new journey starts off the field for South Sydney legend Sam Burgess.
Burgess, 33, will make his much-anticipated coaching debut on Sunday when his Orara Valley Axemen play Sawtell Panthers in a group two season-opener at Rex Hardaker Oval, Sawtell.
Orara Valley withdrew from the competition two years ago and only returned after Burgess and club officials worked incredibly hard trying to rebuild the club, which started training back in November.
Burgess mingled with players, officials and fans in a low-key yet friendly season launch on Friday night at Moonee Beach Hotel, 12km north of Coffs Harbour.
His great mate, Russell Crowe, who lives in nearby Nana Glen, will be absent from the game having flown to England last week to start filming a new project.
Burgess played under some of the finest coaches in rugby league history including Wayne Bennett, Michael Maguire, Anthony Seibold, Brian Smith, John Lang and Steve McNamara.
“I have that sponge analogy — you take what you like,” Burgess said. “And you don’t take what you don’t like. That’s how I see it.
“Being a senior player in teams, you manage things as you go. You manage dynamics. And I really enjoyed doing that, building good relationships. That’s what I have done here. I have built relationships — that was my first port of call.
“Once you’ve got a good relationship with a player then I feel you can have a good coaching relationship. I have always been able to build relationships and that’s what I have used here.
“I feel like I’ve made a difference from where we started to where we are now, it’s unimaginable.”
Burgess refused to offer up any bold predictions for his first season in charge but wants his side to be “competitive.”
“It’s a bit of the unknown,” Burgess said. “We haven’t been in the league for two years and no-one really expects us to do anything.
“We’re a very small club and we don’t have a lot of money. But we’ve got spirit and we’ll give it a good shot. The last time we won was back in 2008 so it’s been a while.
“I just want us to be competitive. I started coaching the team back in November so I’m really looking forward to starting the season. It has been a fair exercise putting two rosters — first and second teams — so it will be good to finally see them get a run together.”
Burgess will be an instant success at coaching, according to South Sydney chief executive, Blake Solly.
“Having spoken to Sam a lot over the last few months, I know he is extremely excited about what he is doing at the Axemen,” Solly said.
“In many ways, coaching bush footy will be the making of Sam’s coaching career. Anyone who has been involved in country football knows the head coach is also the CEO, player welfare manager, sponsorship manager and ball boy.
“I think Sam is loving that experience and responsibility. He has a real passion for coaching and I know he has loved working with the playing group up there and all the officials.”
Asked whether Burgess could one day progress to coaching in the NRL, Solly said: “It’s probably too early to say whether an NRL coaching career is what Sam wants.
“But certainly everything we have seen from him shows he has a really good and long coaching career ahead of him if he wants to pursue it.”
In another group two game on Sunday afternoon, Macksville play Nambucca Heads at Allan Gillett Oval, Macksville. NRL champion Greg Inglis will turn out for Macksville.
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