timeThe situation now is little different to the last time Sam Burgess prepared for a major rugby league final. There was glitz and glamor in the Sydney NRL bubble in 2014 as he geared up for a grand final performance in South Sydney that will be etched in rugby league folklore.
Ten years later, Burgess is contemplating how his Wembley journey has come to an end in a derelict university complex on the outskirts of Warrington, which is also Wolves’ training centre. A visit as a child ignited a fire within Burgess and twenty-five years later he will fulfill his boyhood dream of playing in Saturday’s Challenge Cup final.
Of course, it wouldn’t have been as a player, but Burgess was immensely proud to have led Warrington as manager when he and his family went to the stadium to watch Leeds Rhinos defeat London Broncos in 1999. “I remember arriving at Wembley and realizing the enormity of this place,” he said.
“I just remember sitting there thinking, I want to play in the finals here one day. I just wanted it so bad. You regret the things you never get to do and when I realized I was never going to get the chance to do this , the next best thing after playing in the final is to coach there and be a part of it in that way.
Burgess’s Wembley story does include one lone appearance as a player: a day that will be remembered simultaneously as the best and worst of his career, England’s heartbreaking performance in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup semi-finals Crushing defeat. “While it was one of the most disappointing results of my life, it was probably one of the most enjoyable games of my career,” he said.
“I was finally able to play at Wembley and I was playing for England. I was playing well but we weren’t doing well… but I haven’t been back since. I had no reason to do that. .
Life is not much different than it was a few years ago. His career ended abruptly at the age of 30 due to a chronic shoulder injury, followed by a series of off-field incidents. “Every life experience makes me stronger,” he said. “The ability to self-reflect and take responsibility, that’s something I’ve always managed to do – although it did take me longer than others.
“But I’m able to connect with my players because I come from zero judgment – that’s all I can do given what’s going on in my life. I don’t say hello to them.
Life here is certainly much quieter than in the media storm of Sydney. Does he prefer this? “Yes,” he said, smiling. “This is part of me, this lifestyle. I don’t know if I need to escape it [the media attention in Australia] But I’m happy not to be a part of it. There is good evidence that the past four years have been personally challenging.
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“It’s nice to come here and be yourself, live normally, be a normal family and do normal things. Yesterday I was in Manchester city center playing games with my family and just being part of it – it was great. In Sydney you always It felt watched, very avant-garde, so in that respect I was happy to be back here.
With his partner and children in tow, Burgess and his young family have settled so well in England that he has not ruled out staying in England beyond the expiry of his initial two-year deal. He has turned down two offers to return to the NRL.
But there’s no doubt that his start as a coach has made it easier. Burgess has Warrington competing on all fronts and beating Wigan would win him a major trophy in his first year as manager.
“This is the first time we’ve been competing for trophies and I know it’s been a few years for the club. But any win that ends with a trophy is a proud moment. We’re aware of the challenge but there’s no doubt that considering Coming to this club and this city pisses me off a little bit, it will be a very special moment.
