Sam Burgess on coaching Warrington Wolves, relationship with Wayne Bennett, future NRL coaching ambitions
Sam Burgess has made it clear he wants to coach in the NRL one day and will be an option whenever the next NRL coach is sacked. However, the former Rabbitohs star isn’t ready to make the jump just yet.
Sam Burgess has maintained his NRL head coaching ambition but first used his influence to personally reach out to Peter V’landys and ensure his Warrington side were part of the Las Vegas quadruple-header next season.
Burgess is just months into his coaching career after taking control of Warrington at the start of the season but the club is already keen to extend his contract before it expires at the end of next season.
The Wolves are second on the Super League ladder and are primed to end their 69-year title drought under Burgess.
The former South Sydney star has kept up contact with Wayne Bennett, continues to watch every NRL game and explained how he had to put his club before family prior to being rejected by brother Tom Burgess to join the Wolves next season.
FIRST YEAR IN CHARGE
Burgess was appointed on a two-year deal and already has an offer on the table to stay for at least another 12 months.
“I’m really enjoying it,” Burgess said. “I knew there would be challenges but I’ve got a good team around me and a supportive owner which is key.
“I’m finding it all pretty natural.
“There is a lot of correlation between Warrington and South Sydney. I went to Souths as a player and became part of an era where the club came back to being a powerhouse.
“It’s refreshing living in England and coaching.
“You can make mistakes without it being news for a week. I don’t know what it would be like coaching at an NRL club but the big difference is the outside pressure.
“The media is hard over there and you have a few more things to deal with.
“But the bones of the job are the same.”
The side – which includes ex-NRL players Matt Dufty, Paul Vaughan, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and George Williams – had instant success after finishing runners-up in the Challenge Cup to league leaders Wigan.
Warrington have had joy in the knockout tournament in recent years but have not won a premiership title since 1955.
“I really enjoy the history and the opportunity to try and change that,” Burgess said.
“We had a taste of a final earlier this year and learnt some lessons.
“We have to do things better for longer periods.”
VEGAS BOUND
Warrington and Wigan will join their NRL counterparts by taking centre stage in Las Vegas next year. Burgess sent a simple text message to V’landys to try and push his team’s case.
“I did reach out to him,” Burgess said.
“All he said was, ‘Thanks’. It was about putting him in contact with our CEO. I love Peter. I love what he has done for the game and how bold he is.
“Whether I had any influence or not, I don’t think so.
“It’s such a great opportunity for the Super League. It’ll be a great week.
“My players are excited by it.”
WAYNE AND SOUTHS
Bennett has been a constant for Burgess as he navigates his first season in charge.
The pair shared a close bond during time at South Sydney and England, while Bennett tried to get Burgess to join his inaugural coaching staff at the Dolphins.
“I speak to Wayne a lot,” Burgess said. “Where I just wanted his opinion on things and how he would manage it. We are pretty aligned, which is nice. I speak to him as often as I can.”
Bennett will return to South Sydney next season but Burgess won’t be following him – yet. Burgess quit the Rabbitohs at the end of last season following a terse period with former coach Jason Demetriou.
“You know what, he didn’t ask me,” Burgess said.
“We both understand where we are at and the respect we have for each other. He didn’t put any pressure on me.”
NRL HOPES
Burgess had been linked with the vacant Eels job recently and will again be an option whenever the next NRL coach is sacked.
While he maintains an ambition to be a head coach in Australia, he is in no rush to make the jump.
“It’s important I spend time here,” Burgess said. “I’m only nine months into my coaching career. There is some talk of adding another year at the moment.
“I’m in no rush. I know where it’s going. I’ll make a decision in the next couple of months for that last year. I do miss Australia.
“I have two children back there who I miss, so that will get me back there.
“At some point I’d love to be back but it will have to be the right thing. I’ll stay patient.
“I watch most of the NRL. The Watch NRL app is great. (Fiancee) Lucy is fed up. With Super League and the NRL … I love watching Matty Johns on a Sunday night.”
TALKS WITH TOM
Burgess tried to entice Tom to join him at the club next season.
However he was gazumped by Huddersfield’s desire to offer a three-year contract. More than the two years Warrington were prepared to give.
“Shows how good I am at recruitment,” Sam joked.
“I’d love to coach him but I had to put my head coach’s hat on and do what was best for the club. We couldn’t make it work with what we already had.”
More Coverage
Best 17, rookies to watch: Bulldogs primed for premiership charge
There’s something special about Canterbury heading into 2025. PAMELA WHALEY breaks down the issues facing the club, the rookies to watch and more in our deep dive into the Bulldogs.
Milford signs with Brisbane Broncos feeder club
Former Broncos and Dolphins playmaker Anthony Milford has made a last-ditch effort to revive his NRL career, signing with one of Brisbane’s feeder clubs.