Russell Crowe Backs Sam Burgess To Succeed At Warrington Wolves As Hollywood Star Is A Glowing Reference For South Sydney Rabbitoh’s Great After Surprising Career Move
- Russell Crowe has backed Sam Burgess to succeed at Warrington Wolves
- The NRL great has taken on his first head coaching role in footy
- Crowe says Burgess is ‘a student of the game’ in an impassioned reference
Russell Crowe has given Sam Burgess a laudatory reference when the Hollywood star gave the footy legend his blessing ahead of his surprise career move.
Burgess, 34, will step down from the South Sydney coaching staff at the end of the season to become head coach of Super League side Warrington Wolves.
The Bunnies legend has built a strong reputation in coaching circles for his work on Jason Demetriou’s staff, with the playing group being impressed by the Englishman’s methods.
Burgess returned to the club in 2020 working under Demetriou and Wayne Bennett as an assistant, and last year led Orara Valley Axemen – a local football team supported by Crowe – to a grand final.
And Crowe has backed Burgess to deliver in England, praising the ‘student of the game’.
Russell Crowe (right) has backed Sam Burgess (left) as a coaching hit
The South Sydney legend was announced as coach of Warrington Wolves on Monday
“Sam is going to be great for Warrington,” Crowe told the Daily Telegraph.
“He’s a magnet for players and he’s a student of the game.
‘I’ve been friends with (Warrington owner and concert promoter) Simon Moran for about 15 years.
‘As well as running Warrington, he is the largest live music promoter in the UK.
“Simon is a good operator and he cares passionately about The Wire (Warrington).”
Burgess informed the Rabbitohs playing group of his new job on Tuesday morning, but the team do not believe they have seen the champion’s latest striker.
“If he goes there and coaches in Super League then I don’t see why he can’t come back,” prop Jai Arrow said.
“I’m sure the big guy will want to come back one day, because it’s probably too cold for him there.”
Cook, who has been a teammate of Burgess for four seasons, thought it was inevitable that the Englishman would be scouted for a head coaching role.
“He was always destined to do that,” Cook said.
“He must think this is the path to take, go abroad, get a chance and build some confidence, but I think there is no doubt that at some point he will find his way back here as an assistant or head coach.
Crowe called Burgess a “student of the game” in a laudatory reference
“They’ll love him there.”
Burgess insisted his focus remained on the Rabbitohs’ premiership in 2023, but teased a possible return.
“We still have the chance to play great football for the rest of the year and that’s my focus on doing this together with our current staff and squad,” he said.
“This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon.”
Burgess has signed a two-year contract with Warrington, who sacked head coach Darryl Powell last month after a 42-6 loss to last seeded Wakefield Trinity.
Matt Dufty, Paul Vaughan and Sam Kasiano are among the ex-NRL players currently on the Wolves roster.