It was on this ground nearly 20 years ago where Sam Burgess made his rugby league debut as a fresh-faced teenager for Bradford Bulls. Here, almost two decades on and with a tint of grey in his hair and the scars from a storied playing career, the early throes of his coaching career took another encouraging step.
Nothing is won in early April, as any Warrington supporter will tell you after they won their first eight Super League games, only to limp to a sixth-placed finish and an early exit in the playoffs. Burgess’ arrival may not yet bring an end to the near 70-year wait for a league title at Warrington but the early evidence about his impact is certainly positive.
This felt like another big test pre-match, coming to a Leeds side who, like Warrington, had won four of their first six league games. But in the end it was a straightforward night’s work for the Wolves, scoring six tries to the Rhinos’ two and running out comfortable winners to move top of the table.
Burgess had promised in his first pre-season as a head coach he would bring change to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Just like as a player, it appears his impact as a coach is sizeable. “I’m having more good days than bad as a head coach at the minute,” he said.
“They’re all good wins, the aim of the game is to win but Leeds are a great team, and we have to be good to beat them tonight. We were clinical in areas but there’s a lot of things we can take out of tonight that we can improve on, too.”
Trailing 4-0 early on here after Harry Newman’s try, the visitors kicked into life and by half-time, were in complete control, leading 16-4. The England captain, George Williams, was at the heart of everything they did well, with his fine individual solo try backed up with involvement in the tries for Matty Nicholson and Joe Bullock.
The Rhinos had started the night well, but the loss of Ash Handley and Tom Holroyd in the first half left them light on bodies. In truth, they were underwhelming and a promising start is now threatening to fizzle out, with Leeds losing three of their last four games, including an early exit in the Challenge Cup.
“We weren’t good enough for long enough in most parts of the game,” their coach, Rohan Smith, lamented. Leeds did narrow the gap after half-time with the first try of the second half, as Luis Roberts touched down a Brodie Croft kick.
But when Paul Momirovski’s try was disallowed for a double movement, Warrington regained control of proceedings. Danny Walker’s try to make it 22-8 with 15 minutes remaining was certainly a significant moment.
That, in truth, seemed to kill off Leeds’ challenge and in the final quarter, it was the Wire who finished the stronger of the two sides. Burgess has had a transformative effect on a number of players already and one of those, the fullback, Matt Dufty, marked another impressive display here with a try in the final ten minutes.
Winger Josh Thewlis then put the icing on another impressive Warrington display for the Wolves’ sixth try of the evening. The rumour mill is already beginning to spark into life in Australia about a potential NRL return for Burgess sooner, rather than later.
He has reiterated he will see out his two-year contract in Super League and if his new side continue on this upwards trajectory, there is every chance it will be a success.
