Sam Burgess gives NRL update after Warrington Wolves contract extension

It’s been just under a week since Sam Burgess signed his contract extension with Warrington Wolves with the 35-year-old committed until the end of the 2026 season, but questions have immediately turned to his NRL ambitions.

Suggestions that Sam Burgess was set for a contract extension emerged a fortnight ago with the Englishman actually revealing to papers Down Under that a one-year extension was already being discussed.

That was then confirmed on Tuesday with the club citing the incredible ‘transformation’ that Burgess had overseen as a key factor in extending the deal.

Speaking at the time, Sam Burgess said: “Two years didn’t seem enough”, however, he has now admitted that it could well be longer than that.

Talking to legendary commentator Eddie Hemmings on Hemmings’ eponymous Eddie & Stevo podcast, Burgess has refused to rule out a longer stay at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as well as addressing NRL links.

Burgess open to fourth year and beyond at Warrington Wolves

Hemmings spoke with Sam Burgess on Tuesday when his contract extension was confirmed and after discussing a whole manner of things, the Englishman was keen to conclude on the fact that just because he’s contracted until the end of 2026, it won’t necessarily be the end of his time with the club.

He explained: “It’s great to stay and I’m not saying I won’t stay longer than three years. It’s just that we felt that it would take a bit of pressure off outside noise and so on and so on.

“It’s not to say that’s the end of it all after three. It just gives everyone a bit more security, myself included and Warrington as a club.

“We can recruit a bit more together and around things together to be more connected in what we’re doing so I thought it was a great opportunity to commit for that extra year.”

Recently we’ve seen Matt Peet handed a seven-year contract whilst Willie Peters is contracted until the end of the 2028 season, but whilst Burgess has opted for a shorter deal, he refused to rule out furthering it as he stated his re-found love for England.

“It’s not to say it’s all done and dusted after then as well. We absolutely love it. Lucie, my fiance, and my little daughter, we just love life here in the north and being back in England and the whole community has been so welcoming.”

When will Sam Burgess return to the NRL?

Since ascending to the head coach role at Warrington Wolves, there’s been plenty of speculation about when Sam Burgess will return down under.

For many Down Under, coaching in Super League was viewed as his apprenticeship before an NRL assistant gig and later a head coaching role down under.

One of the clubs he has been heavily linked with is the side he won a Grand Final with, South Sydney Rabbitohs, with expectations that he will become Wayne Bennett’s assistant. Burgess has refuted talk of that but conceded there is an NRL ambition.

“I’ve got great relationships at South Sydney,” he said. “Wayne is going to be there next year and I have a great relationship with Russell and I played there for so long.

“There is no rush, I’m not necessarily set on being back at South Sydney. It doesn’t have to be South Sydney, it’ll be one of those things where whatever comes up at the right time and if we feel that we’re ready to go back.

“But I’m not putting any time limits on that or tying myself to anything. We’re loving it in Warrington right now and figured another year will only add to what we’re doing.”