Warrington Wolves captain gives verdict on Sam Burgess to Perth Bears after recent comments

Warrington Wolves captain George Williams has had his say on recent reports about head coach Sam Burgess heading to the Perth Bears.

It will be confirmed this week that Perth Bears will become the NRL’s 18th side with the Western Australian outfit set to join the competition from the 2027 season, with both Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys flying out West to sign off on the deal.

That deal will create plenty of berths for players but also one opening for a head coach and two current Super League men are believed to be among the front-runners.

Brad Arthur has reportedly been offered the job on a five-year $5.5 million deal with the Australian having spoken frequently about wishing to return to the NRL, however, he has confirmed nothing is locked in regarding that job.

Another who has been named and has also spoken of his interest in the Perth gig is Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess who many view as an NRL coach in the making.

Could Sam Burgess leave Warrington Wolves for Perth bears?

Wire skipper George Williams has now given his take on the prospects of Burgess being named as the new Perth Bears head coach, noting the fact the Englishman isn’t currently contracted at Warrington for 2027 or beyond.

“That’s controversial, because he is off contract at the end of 2026,” Williams responded when asked about the matter by Jenna Brooks on The Bench Podcast.

“It’s a tough one, because I think a lot will depend on how we go for the remainder of the year but I reckon that decision would have to be made pretty soon.”

Perth will need to build a whole new squad so it’s expected that whoever is appointed coach will need to help with a lot of the groundwork throughout 2026 to help build that roster.

Giving his final verdict, Williams said: “Obviously Sam’s been spoke about, Brad Arthur has been spoken about but I’m gonna go with not guilty (won’t happen).

“He will either stay at Warrington or he might go back to NRL but not with the Perth Bears.”

Co-host Jon Wilkin then had his say and pointed out the domino effect that just one new coaching gig creates, stating: “One thing that I found really interesting is just one coaching job becomes available and the carnage around it is mental.

“Like Brad Arthur’s all of a sudden in question, Sam Burgess has his head being turned.

“Just one extra job being created, look at the carnage it’ll have caused. There’ll be like ten clubs in the world now are thinking, ‘Oh we might lose our coach’ and Warrington’s maybe one of them.”