Latest news with #SamBurgess'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What Sam Burgess says it will take for Wire to leave Wembley victorious
WARRINGTON Wolves are heading to Wembley as underdogs – of that, there cannot be much doubt. Whether it's the pundits, the bookmakers, general observers or even large sections of their own fanbase, you will not find too many willing to give Sam Burgess' side any more than a puncher's chance against Hull KR in the Challenge Cup Final. Advertisement Indeed, the Super League-leading Robins are a whopping 2-7 on with competition sponsors Betfred to finally end their 40-year wait for a major trophy. There is good reason for that – Rovers have won all but one of their 16 matches in all competitions this season including a 31-12 victory at The Halliwell Jones Stadium just a fortnight ago while The Wire have been inconsistent and come into the game with several star players either injured or drastically short of match fitness. And yet, there is an internal belief that, in similar fashion to the last time they lifted the Challenge Cup in 2019 by stunning a heavily favoured St Helens side, Warrington can ensure that whenever Burgess' tenure as head coach ends, it will do so with at least one glorious memory. However, he is acutely aware of the task facing his side and outlined exactly what it is going to take for them to come out on top. Advertisement Warrington were beaten by Wembley opponents Hull KR in Super League just a fortnight ago (Image: Richard Walker) 'They're deservedly heavy favourites,' Burgess said. 'We have to be good because they're not going to beat themselves. They're really consistent, so we have to be on our game. 'All of our players are going to have to be at least an eight or nine out of 10 and when our moments and opportunities come, we have to take them. 'That's what I think the game will come down to on Saturday – who takes their moments. 'Traditionally, they start hot but I thought we handled that in the first half the other week so we could get a bit of confidence out of that. Advertisement 'We'll have to manage them early again – there's no doubt about that.' This is, of course, not the first time Warrington have stood on the very brink of silverware since Burgess took the reins at the start of last year. Twelve months ago, they found themselves in this very position having made much more serene progress through the campaign but the stage proved just too big for a side just returning to contention for honours as the winning machine that is Wigan Warriors won out at Wembley. For many, that was their first experience at Wembley and one they will be keen to turn the page on. Now, they have the perfect opportunity to do so. Advertisement Sam Burgess applauds the Warrington fans following last year's Wembley defeat to Wigan Warriors (Image: John Walton/PA Wire) 'We're looking forward to going back,' Burgess said. 'We've had a tough run in the cup with some great games – we're proud of getting here but we've still got a load of work to do. 'KR are a fantastic side who have dominated everyone they've played against really so we know we've got a tough task but we're looking forward to it. 'Last year was like smooth sailing but this year has been much more challenging. 'There's been a number of things on and off the field – making hard decisions and losing players at key times – that have really made me think about things coaching-wise, but I've enjoyed that side of it. Advertisement 'I'm learning a bit more and the group are learning more about each other as well. 'This weekend is another chance for us to grow as a group, for the club to go forwards and for me to grow as a coach.' Burgess is all too aware that opportunities to win trophies do not come around often, for the playing career that marked him out as a modern-day great contained just one final victory – a memorable 2014 NRL Premiership with South Sydney Rabbitohs having played virtually the entire Grand Final with a fractured cheekbone. Winning a first trophy as a head coach would make headlines on both sides of the globe, but it is clear he is not allowing himself to dream. Advertisement 'There's a lot of hard work to be done between now and the final hooter on Saturday,' he said. 'I try not to live in 'fantasy land.' I try and stay in the present. 'Any chance of winning silverware is important so it will mean something for sure. 'As a player, you're actually really selfish but as a coach, your vision is so much wider on so many different things. 'You can draw on certain experiences from playing that you thing might help the group, but what might work for me might not work for everyone.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
THE WRAP-UP PODCAST: On our way back to 'HJ South'
WEMBLEY again olé olé... The song that's no doubt been running through every Warrington Wolves fan's head since Sunday evening, so a fitting way in which to start this week's episode of "The Wrap-Up." Our weekly match review podcast is back this week to dissect and have the final say on what was a memorable Challenge Cup semi-final against Leigh Leopards. The Wire ran out 21-14 winners at the Totally Wicked Stadium to book their eighth visit to Wembley Stadium since it reopened in 2007 - so can it now officially be known as "HJ South?" This week's podcast includes an exclusive chat with prop James Harrison and audio from head coach Sam Burgess' post-match press conference. We also have our usual fan contributors Gareth Dunning and Rob Croston back to have their say on the action as excitement for the final against Hull KR starts to build.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
THE WRAP-UP PODCAST: No points but plenty of credit
"THE Wrap-Up" is back! In the aftermath of Magic Weekend, it's time to bring you the latest episode of our weekly Warrington Wolves match review podcast. Our Warrington Wolves reporter Matt Turner is your host as we take a final, more considered look back at The Wire's 22-20 defeat to Wigan Warriors - a game in which the scoreline barely begins to tell the whole story. A depleted Wire side fought back from going 12-0 down inside the opening 13 minutes and then from being 22-10 down with seven minutes remaining to move to within a conversion of forcing golden point, but the Warriors held on. In this week's podcast, we bring you the full audio from head coach Sam Burgess' post-match press conference and our regular fan contributors Gareth Dunning and Rob Croston bring us their thoughts on the action. To round off, we start to look ahead to the biggest game of Warrington's season to date - Sunday's Challenge Cup semi-final against Leigh Leopards.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
GAME DAY: Build-up and key info as Wire face Wigan at Magic Weekend
IT'S now Warrington Wolves' turn to take to the Magic Weekend stage. In the penultimate game of this year's Super League extravaganza, The Wire take their age-old rivalry with neighbours Wigan Warriors to Tyneside after the last episode of it was played out 5,000 miles away in Las Vegas. Sam Burgess' men suffered a humiliating defeat that day and will be out for revenge, although they are hampered by the absences of several key players this afternoon. Will they leave Newcastle with a priceless two points to keep themselves in touch with those at the top of the table? It will not be long until we find supporters are set to take up their usual residence in the eastern corner of St James' Park's famed Gallowgate End once again this afternoon. All three of today's games are being broadcast live on Sky Sports Action, with the Wigan-Warrington match kicking off at 3.15pm in between Huddersfield Giants vs Hull FC (1pm) and Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity (5.30pm). Chris Kendall will referee today's game having also taken charge of the Las Vegas meeting, with Jack Smith on video referee duty. > Click here to see the 21-man squads named by both sides for this afternoon's game > All of the latest Warrington Wolves injury news as Sam Burgess confirms another major blow > COMMENT: Simplicity, patience and unity will be key during unprecedented injury crisis > Sam Burgess makes injury admission as he lays down Magic Weekend challenge > Do Wire have nothing to lose at Magic Weekend? Pre-match talking points > Wire and Wigan's Magic Weekend history including an all-time classic match > The Wolves player Joe Philbin believes will thrive under added pressure > A bullish message from Danny Walker ahead of Magic Weekend > Warrington Wolves' complete Magic Weekend record as neighbours await again > The incentives on offer for Magic Weekend try celebrations As always, in-depth coverage of this afternoon's game will be provided on the Warrington Guardian website live and direct from St James' Park. We will be heading up to Newcastle to bring you 'Matchday Live' from around 1.30pm featuring pre-match build-up, the latest team news and live text commentary of all the action as it happens. Then from the final hooter onwards, we'll bring you our full range of post-match reaction including our new matchday vlog and our weekly match review podcast "The Wrap-Up" as well as much more analysis and comment plus interviews from the Wire camp. You will find all of that at - your home of unrivalled coverage of Warrington Wolves. Today's fixtures: Huddersfield Giants vs Hull FC (1pm) Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves (3.15pm) Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity (5.30pm) Saturday's results: Leigh Leopards 26-24 Catalans Dragons Hull KR 54-0 Salford Red Devils St Helens 4-17 Leeds Rhinos
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ashton hat-trick helps Warrington surge to Super League win against St Helens
Warrington continued their dominance over St Helens to record a seventh straight victory over their local rivals and hand Sam Burgess' side a much-needed win to alleviate the early-season pressure on the Wolves. Burgess' men came into this game ninth with just four wins from their opening eight games. However, despite once upon a time winning just one of the first 37 meetings between these teams in Super League's early years, these days, the balance of power is much more in the Wire's favour. Advertisement They have now won seven in a row against the Saints, including three in the past five weeks, one of which was a Challenge Cup quarter-final victory earlier this month. Here, despite being without the England captain, George Williams, due to injury, they were worthy winners against a St Helens side with their own mounting issues. Paul Wellens' side look a shadow of the team who won four consecutive league titles between 2019 and 2022 – and have now lost 13 consecutive games against the teams who finished in the top three last year: Wigan, Hull KR and Warrington. They look anything but a side capable of mounting a push for the Grand Final as it stands. The Wire were much the stronger of the two sides in the early exchanges, aided largely by some horrendous errors by the Saints. On several occasions, their senior players turned the ball over cheaply and it handed Warrington numerous opportunities that eventually they would capitalise upon. They went ahead when Toby King crossed, before a brace from Matty Ashton opened up a commanding lead for the hosts. In response, Jon Bennison had finished a fine team move for the Saints, but as half-time approached they came alive. Despite being fairly sub-par for most of the half, they somehow went in at the break only two behind. Advertisement That was thanks in no small part to two magnificent finishes from Mark Percival, who cut through the Warrington defence twice inside five minutes to make it 16-14. The withdrawal of Marc Sneyd following a head knock would have buoyed St Helens, but within six minutes of the restart they had fallen further behind once again as Ashton completed his hat-trick with a spectacular flying one-handed finish to open up a six-point lead. Yet despite having neither of their senior half-backs on the field, it was Warrington who always looked more likely to score again next. That crucial moment arrived with 15 minutes to go, as the Wolves worked the ball right to allow Rodrick Tai to ground before Matt Dufty cut through some insipid Saints defending to put the result beyond doubt. The Saints did score a consolation through Bennison, but there was no doubting which side deserved to win here.
