Sam Burgess begins negotiations over huge Super League move

Warrington Wolves parted company with former Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos boss Daryl Powell last week after a thumping defeat against Wakefield Trinity and now they seem to be set for a truly ground breaking appointment.

Powell made his coaching name at Leeds sparking the golden generation. But he would really come into his own at Castleford where with limited resources he led them to two Challenge Cup Finals, a Grand Final, the League Leaders’ Shield and even a 50-point season in 2017.

So his move to Warrington looked like a match made in heaven but an 11th place finish in 2022 backed up by a collapse in form after a great start to 2023 saw Powell depart the club and now the Wolves are set to make a truly shocking appointment in the shape of one of the game’s biggest names.

After Daryl Powell’s sacking a week ago today it was believed that Warrington officials headed down under in their search for a replacement head coach with the frontrunner being ex St Helens boss Justin Holbrook.

Over the course of the week negotiations continued with Holbrook to the point where he accepted a deal and had flights booked per Sky Sports’ Brian Carney, but Holbrook negated on the deal and explained to The Daily Telegraph how close he was.

“I was close to heading back to England because I like the idea of being a head coach, but it just didn’t feel right.

“Obviously, having a great time and success at St Helens and then going to a rival club, but that wasn’t the pure decision.

“I was thinking that way, heading to Warrington to be a head coach, but there was a bit of interest back here and I’ve worked with Robbo before and see an opportunity to help him there to try to get them back up to the top.”

And so the search continued and the shock frontrunner was reported to be Sam Burgess with the Sydney Morning Herald going on to confirm that both he and Warrington are keen on the deal.

The Herald stated: “Warrington have opened negotiations with Burgess for the head coaching role next year, and he is the frontrunner for the job.”

Then after the game between Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers on Channel Nine in Australia, Michael Chammas revealed: “Sam Burgess has told South Sydney officials that he is keen on taking on the job at Warrington Wolves in Super League.”

Thus, it seems negotiations have already begun.