SAM Burgess says Sunday’s dominant victory at London Broncos “told him a lot” about his Warrington Wolves side.
Despite the absence of seven first-team players through a combination of injury and personal reasons, The Wire ran 10 tries past their newly-promoted hosts to finish Round Five on top of the Super League table.
Josh Thewlis and Matt Dufty both scored hat-tricks while Stefan Ratchford equalled a world record with his 41st consecutive successful kick at goal, breaking the Super League record of 39 held by Leeds Rhinos’ Rhyse Martin.
Warrington started both halves well, racing into an 18-0 lead in the first 15 minutes before scoring three more tries in the first 12 minutes of the second half.
Burgess admitted he was “nervous” before the game due to the reshuffling he had to do within his side, with Ben Currie and Danny Walker dropping out as both of their partners were due to give birth to children.
However, he expressed his delight with how they coped.
“We did the basics really well, especially early in the game,” he said.
“We were pretty clinical in the first 10-15 minutes, we got into a good rhythm and continued with that.
“I was happy with the team today with the amount of players we had missing in key positions. They came and did a job, which was the task.
“I think London are a dangerous team, so we came here expecting that. Although the scoreline was big, they’re a tough team with a lot of good players.
“To score, we had really score but we have some players who can find space and we took pretty much all our chances.
“I don’t think we left many out there and that’s the difference. We capitalised when we made chances and I was pleased with the guys for that.
“I was a bit nervous before the game, I’m not going to lie.
“I was happy after the first 15-20 minutes because it was a pretty dangerous game with the travel down and a lot of boys being out.
“It told me a lot about the team today, so I was happy.”
Burgess reserved special praise for Ratchford, who once again produced another nerveless display of goal-kicking.
That was, however, until he came to convert Dufty’s third try of the afternoon from just right of the posts when doing so would have broken the world record.
Somehow, though, he pulled the conversion wide but Burgess heaped acclaim on his skipper.
“He’s a great kicker – he just equalled a world record and broke a Super League record,” he said.
“I think he’ll be pretty disappointed with the one he missed – it wasn’t like Stef.
“He practices very hard and it’s no coincidence that he’s put himself in a position to do that.
“He’ll be gutted about not kicking the 42nd one, but he’s got to be happy with the other 41.
“I loved Stef’s courage to take all of the kicks, which is why it’s almost funny he missed the one pretty much next to the posts!
“He never makes these things about himself – he’s a great team player and it’s a pretty exceptional record. It’s not easy to do that.
“He’s been in and out of the team but I’m great friends with him. We’ve played together international for a number of years and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and that’s the tough side of coaching.
“We’ve got some youth that we’re trying to bring through so Stef’s role at the minute is “when and where” but I love what he brings.
“He never lets me down and will play anywhere for me. He’s been a great servant to the game and I really enjoy coaching him.”
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