Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has finally arrived in Las Vegas and the Englishman has spoken with media at the airport to explain his delay and preview the week.
It first emerged late last week that there was a chance Sam Burgess would not be flying out with the rest of the Warrington Wolves squad as reports Down Under suggested that the ex-NRL star was having visa issues.
Burgess addressed questions about that on Friday night both pre and post-match with Warrington in action against Catalans, a game that they won 18-12.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sam Burgess said:”At the moment, my Visa application is in and it’s at the US Border Control.
“I respect the process, it’s just down to them and we just wait and see how it goes over the next 24 to 48 hours.”
He would shed more light in his post-match presser, explaining: “Everyone has been brilliant, the NRL, Warrington, the US Embassy have been fantastic, US Border Patrol is the last thing to sign off. I don’t know how much of this I can talk to you about but it is what it is, the process is underway and if I can’t get on the flight on Sunday then lets hope I’m not too far behind the team.”
Sam Burgess arrives in Las Vegas with Warrington Wolves coach explaining delay
Credit: SWpix
Throughout the process, Burgess has been confident that he would make it to Las Vegas but those hopes were dealt a blow when it was confirmed that he did not fly with the squad on Sunday, as initially planned.
Warrington took to social media on Wednesday to confirm that Burgess was on a flight stateside after getting the requisite clearance and upon arriving, he spoke with members of the media including the Daily Telegraph.
Sharing footage on their X account, Burgess was fresh out of the departures lounge and declared: “It’s good to be here.
“A couple of days late but it’s good to be here rather than not so I’m looking forward to the week now.”
Asked about the reasons for the delay, he explained: “It’s just been visa, just getting my visa organised. My ESTA was denied so I had to go through the process to get the visa.
“I knew we’d get here in the end but it just took a couple of days longer than expected.
“Like I said, I’m just happy to be here now and I’m looking forward to the week and some great games of rugby on Saturday.”
On his squad, who flew out on Sunday, Burgess said: “I’ve missed the guys actually and felt a bit nervous that I wasn’t here when they’re in a new place and a new environment but by all accounts, they’ve had a good time and have been behaving themselves. We’re just off for dinner now.”
He also batted back any notion that he’d wish to be on the field for such a big occasion, stating: “I’m a long time retired now so I don’t miss it too much anymore, I just enjoy coaching.”
