Burgess outlines Sneyd's remarkable recovery plus post-match injury news

Yahoo

11-05-2025

SAM Burgess says Marc Sneyd's remarkable return to the Warrington Wolves side was driven by the man himself.
Indeed, he called the fact he returned to the side less than three weeks after undergoing facial surgery 'an amazing act of human nature.'
The scrum-half suffered a fracture eye socket during the Round Nine victory over St Helens and as such seemed set to miss the Challenge Cup semi-final against Leigh Leopards.
Not only did he get himself back in the side, however, he made the difference on the day too with his nine points from the boot – courtesy of four goals from as many attempts and a drop goal – ultimately proved the difference in taking The Wire back to Wembley.
Marc Sneyd's nine points from the boot ultimately saw Warrington through to Wembley (Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com) After the game, Burgess acclaimed that once the former Salford Red Devils had affirmed his desire to play, the decision to take a risk on his fitness became an easy one.
'He's a brilliant player and a very strong-willed bloke,' he said.
'He was the one who came to me and said 'I'm going to train this week and if I can train, I'll play.'
'It's so valuable having a guy around who drives standards like that – it's quite easy to follow a bloke who says things like that after having surgery a couple of weeks ago.
'I'm proud of Marc and for his family – I thought he was very good for us.'
When asked whether or not, medically speaking, Sneyd should have played, the Wire boss added: 'Well we all hear about these amazing acts of human nature…
'The brain is a powerful muscle and he made a commitment to himself to play, so he played.
'It was an easy decision to pick him – there's always an element of risk but it's paid off.'
Sneyd was not the only Warrington player who returned to the side – winger Matty Ashton and centre Toby King were also making their comebacks having sat out the Magic Weekend loss to Wigan Warriors.
However, Ashton was one of three players who were forced off injured during the 21-14 victory at the Totally Wicked Stadium as he was replaced by Arron Lindop in the first half.
Matty Ashton was forced off injured during the first half (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire) Josh Thewlis then failed a head injury assessment following a head-on-head collision with Leigh forward Owen Trout – an incident Burgess was critical of the handling of by the match officials – while Lachlan Fitzgibbon also had to be replaced due to a recurrence of a rib issue.
Thewlis will now definitely miss next weekend's trip to Wakefield Trinity under concussion protocol while Burgess cast doubt on Ashton and Fitzgibbon's chances of being fit.
'Thewlis failed his HIA. I'd love a bit of clarity on the rules with that – it's on report and it's head-on-head, my player's knocked out,' he said.
'I don't know if the rules have changed but I'd love some clarity from Phil Bentham (RFL head of match officials) and his team on that.
'I heard (St Helens head coach) Paul Wellens talking about it, (Catalans Dragons head coach) Steve McNamara was talking about it yesterday so I'm not the only coach talking about it but there's limited input and conversation on it.
'It's hard for me to then lead as a coach not knowing exactly what the rules are. It's hard to work it out.
'Fitzy is in a bit of pain – he's got some rib problems so he might need a couple of weeks.
'Tashy is a knee issue and we're not quite sure what it is.
'The first reports aren't too bad so let's think in a few weeks' time he'll be ready to play.'