Sam Burgess has already made a huge impact on Warrington in his first few weeks as head coach, Rob Burrow is in great form and Samoa’s trip to England may not be off after all.
The word from inside the Warrington camp is that legendary Great Britain forward Burgess has hit the ground running in his first ever job as a rugby league head coach, with players, staff and the club’s hierarchy collectively in awe of the respect he has already universally commanded.
Wolves players have told The Sportsman that they have been “beasted” like never before in pre-season by the former South Sydney Rabbitohs enforcer, with Burgess himself joining in on the gruelling cross-country runs that every rugby league player dreads in pre-season. There is palpable sense of optimism around the club about what could be achieved from the feel-good factor already instilled by the 34-year old.
Amidst the head-scratching around the Daryl Powell debacle - and how the best British coach in the game was unable to lift a dressing room brimming with talent - there was a realisation that the club had to try something completely different. There were available options in the Powell ilk - I’m told Salford coach Paul Rowley was considered but no direct dialogue ever took place - but the left-field Burgess appointment was hoped to reunite a splintered dressing room. To put it bluntly Powell fell out with some of his senior players, and those players that moved on all had stunning seasons with their new clubs. The hope is that with Burgess already so idolised, he will effectively be able to learn on the job with a fully devoted squad on the same hymn sheet.
And look out for a real commitment to youth at the Halliwell Jones Stadium this season too, with the appointment of the much-respected Gary Chambers to a new Director Rugby role. The best community players who work their way through the Wolves ranks are likely to get their chance. One of those, 19-year old scrum half Leon Hayes, is already being considered a possible starter for the new Betfred Super League season.
If Sam Burgess commands respect, then Rob Burrow is just on another level.
I spent an afternoon with Rob this week at his parents’ home in Pontefract and found the Leeds legend in his customary uplifting form. The iconic Rhinos scrum-half may be trapped inside a fragile body that has now almost completely failed him, but his wit, mental sharpness and smile is going nowhere. Visiting with our mutual friend, the former Leeds skipper Stevie Ward, we find Rob being fed and watered by his wonderful mum Irene. And once that is done it‘s just talk, laughter, memories, dark humour and more laughter. Health-wise there is no change, Rob is not getting better from MND, we know that. But he is stable, and comfortable. And funny. Still unbelievably funny. His mindset is inspiring. And that is the tragedy of this brutal disease. Rob is completely present but unable to do anything. He is one of those friends you are just in awe of.
Elsewhere this week Samoa’s on-off autumn tour to England next year could yet be back on. The World Cup finalists revealed a devastating u-turn last week, preferring to stay Down Under and compete in the Pacific Championship.
It was a bombshell that left England’s international calendar in tatters, without opponents in a year that demands further progress. But crunch talks with the IRL this week saw their impressive boss Troy Grant demand Samoa rethink their decision for the sake of growing the international game. Talks will therefore resume to try and make it happen, and England better hope it comes good.
It’s been another great week for two of England’s top stars though. Half-back Harry Smith forced his way into Shaun Wane’s first-team plans for this autumn’s series whitewash of Tonga and his performances saw the Wigan man make this month’s 20-strong long list for the prestigious Golden Boot award. With that list trimmed to an elite four, Smith remains in the running alongside Australia prop Payne Haas and New Zealand pair James Fisher-Harris and Joseph Tapine. Smith is an outside shot for the honour but given the manner of England’s thumping triumph over Tonga, and his influence on it, he has to have a chance.
There is recognition too for London Roosters wheelchair star Lewis King who will go up against Frenchman Jeremy Bourson for the wheelchair Golden Boot. With the sport rapidly growing in popularity, Smith has risen to prominence as one of the most watchable players in the game thanks to his elusive movement and devastating finishing.
King was one of the try scorers in another famous outing for the world champions at the weekend, as England beat France 34-14 in the latest chapter of their intense rivalry in Marseille.
And the RFL this week ratified a few rule tweaks for the new season, with perhaps the key changes being around head injuries and lower limb leg tackles - two of the big talking points from the past season.
Teams will now be able to use an 18th player after two head injury assessments or a serious injury caused by foul play - which feels increasingly likely.
The clampdown on lower leg tackles comes a result of a review that was promised following a furious reaction from both players and head coaches - Saints boss Paul Wellens the most outspoken - to a series of incidents involving Leigh Leopards forward John Asiata. Wellens called Asiata “out of control” for “just hurling himself at players knees”.
Asiata and others may need to use pre-season to fine-tune this technique, which will now be viewed as “reckless endangerment”.
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