On the example of Walker leaving, I wouldn’t mind that if it was the case (to the NRL though, not Wigan.) if he’s leaving, and we know he’s leaving, we can use that cap money and get in the front of the queue for replacements. If he kept us guessing and we had to keep a significant portion of cap free just incase he signed, ultimately to walk short notice, we’d be in trouble. It’s like when Briers left in 2013, we couldn’t look in advance to recruit for such an important role, and ultimately it set us back years. 

We can’t afford to go into 2026 without a coach locked in. We have the May timeline to lock in players for 2027 before others can approach, and we need the incoming coach to have a read on who they want/don’t. Powell was given that opportunity, shipped out the ones he didn’t want and had the chance to bring in his people to get to work on day 1. He completely butchered it, but the concept was right. 


We’ve all known for a while now that Sam wants to go to the NRL. To his credit, he has given us a timeline. It’s for us to get our house in order now and work out the replacement.

No but he's joining some unknown NFL side on a 4 year contract according to someone from Africa on a Warriors fans group on Facebook 

I think Burgess is clearly desperate to be an NRL coach and he probably knows openly chasing a job will not go down well with everyone but I think it's a risk he's prepared to take. I think everyone in Superleague only expected him to do 2-3 years because Australia seems to be very much home for him now. 

One thing I would say is that he would be getting an NRL head coaches job on his name and playing career, more so than his coaching performance to date. Don't get me wrong, he's had a positive impact on Wire but he's still learning. They wouldn't dream of giving any other English coach a go as a head coach, so it will be fascinating to see how Burgess gets on (if he ends up at Perth). I'd imagine he would look to take a few English players to the club, which is a worry from a Superleague (and Wigan) POV. 

Wires71: BarbedWire2: If memory serves, Wane set out his intention to leave Wigan months before the end of the season. I think he said he wanted a new challenge, I think he publicly singed with Scotland RU shortly after.  We will all remember how that season ended.  Close but no cigar.  Wane confirmed he was leaving Wigan at the end of current season he was in (5 months notice) before any mention of where he was going. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/44195467 Wane led Wigan to three Super League Grand Final wins, a Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge during his 8 years before he left.  Sam has achieved nothing as a coach as yet and is not even announcing he is leaving, no doubt if he doesn't get the Penrith job he'll stay with us.  That said, the point remains. That is 21 days after the May contract milestone. So any incoming coach (should they want full control over recruitment and retention) is behind on that and may miss out on people that they want.  We can all get a bit up in arms about it, but it’s a non story. He wants an NRL job and has committed to this year and next. We all know that, nothings changed. The club need to get on and find a replacement sooner than later and get planning for it.

Wires71: BarbedWire2: If memory serves, Wane set out his intention to leave Wigan months before the end of the season. I think he said he wanted a new challenge, I think he publicly singed with Scotland RU shortly after.  We will all remember how that season ended.  Close but no cigar.  Wane confirmed he was leaving Wigan at the end of current season he was in (5 months notice) before any mention of where he was going. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/44195467 Wane led Wigan to three Super League Grand Final wins, a Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge during his 8 years before he left.  Sam has achieved nothing as a coach as yet and is not even announcing he is leaving, no doubt if he doesn't get the Penrith job he'll stay with us.  That said, the point remains. That is 21 days after the May contract milestone. So any incoming coach (should they want full control over recruitment and retention) is behind on that and may miss out on people that they want.  We can all get a bit up in arms about it, but it’s a non story. He wants an NRL job and has committed to this year and next. We all know that, nothings changed. The club need to get on and find a replacement sooner than later and get planning for it.

BarbedWire2: Wires71: BarbedWire2: If memory serves, Wane set out his intention to leave Wigan months before the end of the season. I think he said he wanted a new challenge, I think he publicly singed with Scotland RU shortly after.  We will all remember how that season ended.  Close but no cigar.  Wane confirmed he was leaving Wigan at the end of current season he was in (5 months notice) before any mention of where he was going. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/44195467 Wane led Wigan to three Super League Grand Final wins, a Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge during his 8 years before he left.  Sam has achieved nothing as a coach as yet and is not even announcing he is leaving, no doubt if he doesn't get the Penrith job he'll stay with us.  That said, the point remains. That is 21 days after the May contract milestone. So any incoming coach (should they want full control over recruitment and retention) is behind on that and may miss out on people that they want.  We can all get a bit up in arms about it, but it’s a non story. He wants an NRL job and has committed to this year and next. We all know that, nothings changed. The club need to get on and find a replacement sooner than later and get planning for it.  I can see your view and fair enough but for a non-story it's getting a lot of headlines in the UK and Australian press. No doubt he will see his arris about it on Sunday when the reporters duly ask him about it, but it's all self inflicted. I'm not that bothered about Sam leaving (as I don't think we are missing out on a coaching genius based on this season) my disappointment and frustration is because this need not have played out in public if there was any consideration at all for our club.

BarbedWire2: Wires71: BarbedWire2: If memory serves, Wane set out his intention to leave Wigan months before the end of the season. I think he said he wanted a new challenge, I think he publicly singed with Scotland RU shortly after.  We will all remember how that season ended.  Close but no cigar.  Wane confirmed he was leaving Wigan at the end of current season he was in (5 months notice) before any mention of where he was going. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/44195467 Wane led Wigan to three Super League Grand Final wins, a Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge during his 8 years before he left.  Sam has achieved nothing as a coach as yet and is not even announcing he is leaving, no doubt if he doesn't get the Penrith job he'll stay with us.  That said, the point remains. That is 21 days after the May contract milestone. So any incoming coach (should they want full control over recruitment and retention) is behind on that and may miss out on people that they want.  We can all get a bit up in arms about it, but it’s a non story. He wants an NRL job and has committed to this year and next. We all know that, nothings changed. The club need to get on and find a replacement sooner than later and get planning for it.  I can see your view and fair enough but for a non-story it's getting a lot of headlines in the UK and Australian press. No doubt he will see his arris about it on Sunday when the reporters duly ask him about it, but it's all self inflicted. I'm not that bothered about Sam leaving (as I don't think we are missing out on a coaching genius based on this season) my disappointment and frustration is because this need not have played out in public if there was any consideration at all for our club.

Yes fully expected him to go back to Australia after a 2-3 year period however I caveat that with:

1. I would have expected him to do some sort of a job with us and prove he has coaching ability (not just aura and a legend playing career).
2. I would not have expected him to talk publicly about coveting other jobs 15 months into his current one! 


He's panicked when he saw Brad Arthur steal a lead on him and become a front runner for the Penrith job and blurted it out without wider consideration. Seriously - the eve before the Magic weekend?  He said he's already had behind the scenes initial talks with the decision makers, so why the public splurge of his private thoughts now? Doesn't make sense unless he seeks the attention of course, trying to raise his profile even more. 


I'd much rather he concentrate on ensuring Wire avoid being in 9th place on Sunday evening but we all know it's the Challenge Cup he wants as it's the low hanging fruit for his resume.