Latest news with #SamBurgess
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
George Williams back from injury with the aim of Warrington Wembley glory
GEORGE Williams will return bidding to grasp Warrington's second chance of Wembley glory and make it third time lucky for himself. The England captain will be back after missing seven weeks with ruptured ankle ligaments. 2 And he is out to avenge last year's Challenge Cup final loss to Wigan and losing 2017's showpiece to Hull FC when he was with the Warriors. But despite the quick recovery, he is adamant he is not risking it for the sake of it. Williams said: 'I'm not stupid. Obviously, if I didn't feel like I could do a job and then have to come off, then I wouldn't put my hand up 'My rehab has gone really, really well. Fingers crossed that I'm alright, but I feel really good. I've always been a quick healer. 'And Wembley was an easy goal. If you know you do everything right and you play at Wembley, you do it. 'But I won the Grand Final at the third attempt, hopefully history can repeat itself. Win this weekend and my memories of Wembley will be formed.' Warrington have been on the big stage already this year – and flopped in Las Vegas. So Williams knows Sam Burgess' side needs to live up to the billing against Hull KR on Saturday. He added: 'Last year we fell short at Wembley. In Vegas, we didn't perform at all and with this group obviously since Sam took over, we've not won anything. 'So this is our second chance at Wembley. I think we had 10 or 11 lads that had never played in the final before and I think the occasion got the better of us. 'There are no excuses this time around, even though we're playing against the top of the league. Now they've tasted defeat there and thought, 'I don't want to do that again.' 2 "So have I. Hopefully now we can right some wrongs.' Williams' return sets up an almighty duel at stand-off with Rovers star Mikey Lewis, a man known for making a big noise on the pitch. Off it, though, things can be very different as his national skipper told SunSport: 'Speaking from my experience, when we're with England it can be pretty quiet. 'II's pretty weird. Mikey's playing to the crowd, he's doing what he does but he's playing well, so it's hard to argue with that.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Wire tee up Wembley date with win against Cas
Betfred Super LeagueWarrington (22) 34Tries: Josh Thewlis, Jake Thewlis, Tai, Lindop, Currie, Ratchford Goals: Sneyd 4, Ratchford 1Castleford (6) 24Tries: Lawler 2, Innes Senior, Simm Goals: Milnes 2, Lawler 2 Warrington Wolves earned the perfect preparation for next weekend's Challenge Cup final against Hull KR as they pulled off thrilling win over Castleford Tigers at the Halliwell Jones had helpfully acceded to Warrington's request to bring forward this Super League contest by two days in order to give Sam Burgess's outfit a clear seven-day run into the Wembley Wire - dancing to a tune conducted by masterful Australian full-back Matt Dufty - ran in four tries to lead 22-6 at the halfway were an improved outfit in the second half shading the try count 3-2 but Wire were always in control of the scoreboard eventually ran out comfortable winners and emerged with no injury to follow. Warrington: Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Tai, LIndop, Jake Thewlis; Ratchford, Sneyd; Yates, Powell, Vaughan, Fitzgibbon, Holroyd, CurrieInterchanges: Harrison, Wood, Philbin, HartillCastleford: Hoy; Simm, Cini, L Senior, I Senior; Asi, Milnes; Okoro, Atkin, Singleton, Lawler, Mellor, HorneInterchanges: Griffin, Hall, Hill, SalabioReferee: Marcus Griffiths.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
"Everyone else is talking about Wembley, not me and the team'
WEMBLEY talk is not on the lips of Sam Burgess, his Warrington Wolves coaching staff and players. Although the Challenge Cup Final clash with Hull Kingston Rovers at the iconic national stadium is looming large, The Wire head coach says all focus is on delivering a much-needed performance against Castleford Tigers in Super League on Friday night. On the back of three successive defeats, Burgess' boys have slid four points adrift of the play-offs places and need the points. 'Everyone else is talking about Wembley, not me and the team,' he said. 'Willie Peters (Hull KR coach) will be in the same boat, everyone will be talking to him about Wembley. 'I understand it's what everyone's talking about, which is fair enough. We all accept it, you can't hide from it, but my job as a coach is to get the players ready to go this week and give a great performance.' With his side now 12 points behind leaders Hull KR and 10 adrift of Wigan Warriors, what does he believe is still achievable in Super League this season? 'I've got my idea about that but we've got a bit in front of us for now,' said Burgess. 'Right now, it's important for us to focus on this week because we all know what's coming next week and you can't get distracted about that. 'Next week will take care of itself. After Wembley, we'll start having a look at a couple of things but for now it's about getting our performance right this week.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why having to go all out against Castleford is a good thing for Warrington Wolves
WITH a Challenge Cup Final on the horizon, conversations about squad rotation usually dominate the build-up to the final Super League game before Wembley. For Warrington Wolves, however, that is a luxury they are unlikely to have – but could that be a good thing? Prop Joe Philbin believes having no alternative but to go into Friday's clash with Castleford Tigers at full-throttle will help them out as they look to build confidence heading into their big date with Hull KR. Even looking at the Super League table, it is a game The Wire could do with winning to avoid extending what is already their worst run of consecutive league defeats under Sam Burgess and avoid them being cut further adrift of the play-offs. 'In the past, it would have been a tricky thing to deal with,' said Philbin, who missed last year's Challenge Cup Final having sustained an injury just two weeks before the game. 'I've been in that kind of situation where we've rested people but we don't have the luxury of being able to do that this year. 'We have to go full force and I think that helps us. 'You just want to go in with a bit of confidence and playing well. Cas have been going well so we're looking forward to it.' It would appear unlikely that any of Warrington's injured stars will be risked for Friday's Round 13 game at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, with two more picked up during the Wembley 'dress rehearsal' against Hull KR last weekend that saw a depleted Wire side beaten 31-12. Oli Leyland (knee) and Jordy Crowther (ankle) join the walking wounded, which could bring more opportunities for those on the fringes of the first team. Hooker Ben Hartill and forwards Max Wood and Tom Whitehead came into the 17 last week and Philbin says whoever comes in, they have the full faith of their teammates behind them. And while things are difficult currently, the Warringtonian front-rower believes being written off suits them. 'One man's downfall in a team game is another man's opportunity,' he said. 'We see all of these lads in training so we've got so much confidence in them. 'I think some of our best performances this year have been when our backs have been against the wall – I think we thrive in that environment. 'I feel confident and excited for the next few weeks. 'Cas have been playing pretty well recently so we'll fly into that game, and then it's Wembley. 'Whoever turns up on the day will win but it's a huge game and I can't wait for it.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
THE WRAP-UP PODCAST: The final word on Wembley warm-up defeat
IT'S time now to have one final look at Warrington Wolves' defeat to Wembley opponents Hull KR in Super League Round 12. We round off our reaction to Friday's game by bringing you another episode of our weekly match review podcast "The Wrap-Up." Our bite-sized, 20-minute podcast goes over the main talking points from the action and picks out some of The Wire's top performers as well as hearing from those inside the camp. This week, the podcast features an exclusive chat with prop Joe Philbin, who was starting a game for the first time in just over a year, while we also bring you the full audio from head coach Sam Burgess' post-match press conference.
