08 February 2024 , 16:55
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Warrington boss Sam Burgess is not used to being ignored by ‘little’ brother Tom.
But that’s what happened after the 18 stone South Sydney powerhouse stunned everyone by signing a monster three-year deal with Super League rivals Huddersfield. Burgess, who had spoken recently about getting the England juggernaut on board at Wolves, smiled: “It was custard pie in my face wasn't it?!
“I’m joking. I had a perfect amount of time to counter-offer. But the numbers were just out of this world. I've got to put my head coach hat on here, and it wouldn't be the right thing for the club to do with the salary cap as it is.”
On the Great Britain prop’s move in 2025 and speaking at the Betfred Super League launch, he added: “It's the first time I can't afford my younger brother. But it's not that. I have to be responsible for Warrington. Huddersfield came with a three-year deal which is great for him. We just weren't there financially. We were way off. That's the nature of the beast."
Burgess, 35, added: "It's a great coup for the game; Tommy and his family will come and live here [near] where we all grew up. It will be nice to see more of him; it would have been nice to coach him, but he's made his decision for that family and I've got to respect that."
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"I'm really happy for him; I think he's going to be great for the game and Huddersfield. He's a local lad. He only lived ten minutes down the road in a little village and we played for that service area."
Meanwhile, Huddersfield captain Luke Yates will miss the start of the season after being hit with a three-game ban. Salford’s King Vuniyayawa is to appeal a one-match suspension.