Im looking forward to this season simply due to the fact that expectations are rather low and whatever happens it can’t be as bad as Powell’s horrific reign. Pressure is off, should be fun.

Is it true that his future lies in Australia and that he is only using his tenure at Warrington as a practice run?

I'd imagine most players and coaches who aspire to be the best will use SL as a stepping stone to a gig in the NRL. But in order to get a decent position in the NRL you'd think he'd have to show some coaching nous in SL. He gets my blessing if he leaves in 2 years with 2 SL winners rings

He has made no secret of his ambition to be a head coach in the NRL. Who knows how long he'll stay at Wire, and whether he'll eventually jump or be pushed? Time will tell. But on the whole, long-term coaching reigns are becoming pretty few and far between anyway, which is probably a good thing. We have seen first-hand with Tony Smith how a good thing can eventually turn stale.

I’m fine with that ambition. He needs to deliver to get himself to a big job in the NRL. Look at what Woolf did at Saints, granted had a great foundation to work from, but even after that success he has had to settle for a 2 year apprenticeship at the Dolphins.

Sam will want the Rabbitohs, or a Sydney club at least you would imagine. Unless he settles for a club without a chance, he really needs to get some results out of us.

You never know, he could do Like Madge did at Wigan, it will be interesting to see if he can pull it out of the hat

I'm neither optimistic nor pessimistic.

Burgess has my full backing and the off season has given me a chance to drink the Powell out of my system.

Now the Wire and thank fudge Rugby League is back! Other sports just dont cut it for me.

Is Vaughan back for R1 or does my man crush have a longer wait to reignite?

The only thing big Sam fills me full of for the new season is Ale

Yes, he has served his silly ban, and will be playing for us this weekend.

Decent segment on BBC Breakfast this morning centred on Sam, growing up Australia and coaching here, but also plugging RL in general.

Yes. it's not on a par with the fawning that they and the media in general give to the other code, but that 'little Mike' bloke did his best....it's a start anyway let's hope that the sport delivers.