That site’s normally full of rubbish, but that was a decent article. It’s like Burgess is trying to take the best of what both Price and Powell wanted to change - resilience and culture. According to the players, they really want to buy in. I’m not sure why they couldn’t do it for Powell but it goes to show the power of Burgess’ soft skills. He seems to ask the same but apparently is getting the results from the players.
That site’s normally full of rubbish, but that was a decent article. It’s like Burgess is trying to take the best of what both Price and Powell wanted to change - resilience and culture. According to the players, they really want to buy in. I’m not sure why they couldn’t do it for Powell but it goes to show the power of Burgess’ soft skills. He seems to ask the same but apparently is getting the results from the players.
Post subject: Re: Sam Burgess is going to be different
Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:38 am
Deus Dat Incrementum
Player Coach
Joined: May 24 2009 Posts: 861
I know I might be clutching at straws here but there could be parallels with Ellery Hanley and his stint as Saint Helens coach. During the early 90's Saints weren't the dominant team they are now. The odd challenge cup final, a lancs cup win and a premiership. They then won the league in 96 under Mcrae in the old first past the post format. Then Hanley came along. I think he had only finished playing a couple of years before taking over at Saints. He was probably the biggest name in the British game at the time but had minimal experience of coaching first grade.
Reading what went on with Burgess at Souths with Latrell Mitchel etc it is clear that Burgess is not afraid to speak his mind if he believes something is not right. From memory Hanleys exit from Saints was for the similar reasons.
When you look at the saints squad from 1999 there were obviously a lot of players that went on to be superstars in the game. There were a few players like Newlove etc that were already superstars. But when you look at the squad there were a number of players that most of us would not even remember. Most of their imports were not state of origin, Kangaroos or had Kiwi caps. For Saints the rest is history. I remember an interview with a saints player (might have been Cunningham) who said that some of Hanleys team talks were like a spiritual experience and they the felt 10 feet tall and they prepared to run through brick walls.
So. Absolutely anything could happen with us and Burgess, it could go either way
Who knows how this will go but his appointment (and that of Gleeson) has certainly perked up the interest in the new season. Well done Wire management team.
Post subject: Re: Sam Burgess is going to be different
Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 4:10 pm
easyWire
Player Coach
Joined: Jan 27 2008 Posts: 3258 Location: Dubai
To be fair to Williams, as a fan I'd be a bit peed off if our marquee player said at the club Media Day, "I have my doubts about this year. Sure we're a new group and fresh, but every year for this club turns out to be a turd. I wouldn't be buying a season ticket put it that way"...
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