Rugby League star sought guidance off Russell Crowe before taking Warrington job
Sam Burgess is aiming to produce a blockbuster story at Warrington after receiving guidance from Gladiator movie star Russell Crowe.
Hollywood actor Crowe owns NRL giants South Sydney Rabbitohs, where Burgess played for over two spells before joining their coaching team. The former dual-code England international, 34, left his role as Souths assistant earlier this year and is now the Wolves’ head coach.
Super League’s underachievers have not been crowned champions since 1955 but Burgess is hoping for an epic tenure and not the kind of sob story which saw predecessor Daryl Powell sacked in July.
Burgess had no doubts after A-list celebrity Crowe, who he has been close to since leaving Bradford Bulls for Souths in 2009, convinced him to accept the challenge.
Burgess said at his first press conference yesterday: “Russell’s been around for a long time and I speak to him weekly. We’re great friends and he just urged me to be myself and enjoy the ride. Russell’s guidance was that Warrington have a great place in the community. He’s huge on that and was very encouraging.”
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Burgess recently became a father again and has moved back to his homeland with English girlfriend Lucy Graham. He also sought advice from mum Julie and brothers Luke, Tom and George before swapping Sydney’s beaches for northern England. Big-spending Warrington are backed by wealthy owners Simon Moran and Stuart Middleton and Burgess has already built a strong relationship with director of rugby Gary Chambers.
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has received some guidance from Russell Crowe (Getty Images)The Yorkshireman added: “My brothers and my mum have been a great counsel, plus Stuart and Simon here at Warrington. Gary Chambers has been wonderful and a great constant for me. When I retired from playing, I took some time out and then jumped into coaching.
"I knew instantly that’s what I wanted to do and realised pretty quickly I think I’m a better head coach than an assistant coach. I’ll see how that goes over the next few years, but the experience of having been an assistant will definitely help.”
Burgess laughed off suggestions that Kevin Sinfield could go from being England rugby union’s defence coach to his assistant at Warrington. He said: “I’ve not heard anything about that. We’re going to meet up for a coffee but I’ve not said anything about coming to Warrington. That’s a good rumour!”
Burgess, who remains close to legendary Aussie coach Wayne Bennett, will be the youngest boss in Super League next season. He revealed: “Wayne’s main message was ‘You’re ready to coach, just be yourself.’
“If I follow that, I don’t think I’ll go too far wrong. I’m not coming here to blow this place up, I’m coming here to make them better. I know what the club’s capable of.”
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