03 February 2024 , 08:00
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George Williams revealed Sam Burgess won’t go the extra mile for Warrington - but the fact he went 42 says plenty.
Wolves fans are excited to see what the iconic ex-England captain can bring to their club as head coach. Stand-off Williams already knows plenty having played alongside the formidable forward at Test level.
But he admitted Burgess, who retired due to a chronic shoulder injury aged just 30 in 2019, demonstrated first-hand in their gruelling pre-season Army camp.
After being put through their paces by former SAS: Who Dares Wins chief instructor Ant Middleton, Williams said: “We ran about 70K [43 miles] in 36 hours. I think he did 68K himself. He was beside us for most of it.
“It just shows he’s in with us. I knew he would be but other boys soon realised how committed he is and he’s still got it hasn’t he? We did do a bit more. He left us when we were in the water bits! That extra couple of kilometres haven’t been mentioned yet. But I was really impressed by how much Sam did.”
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In his decorated playing career, Burgess, 35, was renowned for his defensive toughness. Current England captain Williams knows big-spending Warrington need plenty of that if they are ever going to end a near-70 year-long quest for an elusive league title. And Wolves face a tough Super League opener at beaten Grand Finalists Catalans in a fortnight.
Williams said: “We have focused a lot on our defence. The last few years we’ve leaked too many points to win the big games. The best defensive teams win the comp'.
"We’ve got a lot of learning to do as in the last couple of years we’ve been good when it’s on our terms: a front-foot team. But any adversity and we seem to buckle so that’s what Sam will bring. Some grit and buy-in."
Warrington Wolves' George Williams after last season's play-off exit against St Helens (Getty Images)And ex-Wigan and Canberra ace Williams has been impressed with how Burgess has transitioned to life as a coach.
He said: “He’s not long retired. He still has the same banter, a good laugh but he’s good with people and understands when it’s time to work.
“Playing alongside Sam was unreal. He was my England captain and was a great leader and great with people. When you meet him, he’s got an aura about him and when he speaks, you listen. In meetings, everyone’s clued in and he demands certain standards.
“Last year was shocking, we know that. But this is a new step for us and a new leaf. It’s exciting. I know what it takes to win. I’ve been there. And I’ll be striving to do it every day.”