Sam Burgess says Warrington Wolves are just getting started

But it is about so much more than that.

“A good team that needed a bit of direction” was how he described the squad he inherited, many of whom were front and centre for the shambolic collapse in form that ultimately cost predecessor Daryl Powell his job.

First and foremost, Burgess needed to drill down into the deeper issues that had underpinned years of disappointment and underachievement.

For that, he needed total buy-in and given he and his players are about to stride out at Wembley Stadium to contest the Challenge Cup Final, he has certainly got it – and not just from the players.

“The owners, the CEO, everyone is on board with my vision and what I want to do. We’re just going step-by-step with it,” he said.

“I didn’t come here thinking about taking it slow. I wanted to get off to a good start.

“We’re doing okay – we’re probably not where we need to be yet but I’m happy with the progress.

“It wasn’t going to be an overnight change in culture but we’re going in the right direction.

“We’re happy with what’s happening but we’re not anywhere near done yet.”

Sam Burgess celebrates with Toby King after the semi-final victory over Huddersfield (Image: SWPix.com)

That assertion will no doubt excite Warrington fans as to what could be achieved if and when they do get to where Burgess wants to take them.

He has achieved in a little over six months what Powell failed to do in 18 – return a club where expectation is permanently sky-high to at least competing for trophies.

It is clear he is having fun doing it, too – he is settled in Lymm with partner Lucy and their baby daughter Robbie, who arrived just before they left their home in Australia.

It takes the two “Yorkies” closer to their roots and while Burgess insists Sydney is “home” for him, he has continued to firmly distance himself from a glorious return to the club where he went from prodigious youngster to global icon in South Sydney Rabbitohs.

He insists he will honour the two-year contract he was given by the Wire hierarchy and a longer stay remains firmly on the table.

“We’ve really, really embraced it. Life has been really fun,” he said.

“We can be ourselves here without having to worry about too much and I’m enjoying coaching out of the spotlight. There’s even been a bit of sunshine as well!

“We’ve got great friends here and Lucy is close to her family, which makes it easy.

“Work’s fun – it doesn’t feel like work most days. I couldn’t be any happier, really.”

Burgess arrived in Warrington with his fiancée Lucy and their newborn daughter Robbie in tow (Image: Warrington Wolves)

And so to Wembley, then, where Burgess’ memories range from the awestruck to the devastating.

From watching the Leeds Rhinos team he idolised hammer London Broncos in the last Challenge Cup Final to be played at the old stadium, his next return saw him take centre stage as the poster boy of English rugby league.

That ended in last-second heartbreak as despite the man himself scoring a superb try, England were beaten by New Zealand in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup semi-finals.

On Saturday, he aims to leave with much happier memories.

“I went to the final in 1999 at the old Wembley, which I think was the last one at the old stadium,” he recalled.

“It was Leeds against London Broncos and Leroy Rivett scored four tries – I was sat on the front row with my brothers.

Leroy Rivett and Andy Hay celebrate Leeds Rhinos' victory in the Challenge Cup Final of 1999 - the last to be played at the old Wembley Stadium (Image: SWPix.com)

“That was the only one – we used to go more to the international games. Taking four boys in a family of six isn’t a cheap day out!

“We didn’t have tonnes of money growing up so it was a big expense.

“It inspired me. That day I said to myself “I want to play at Wembley” and it took me 14 years to get there with England for the World Cup semi-final.

“It was an unbelievable game to be part of, even if it was one of the most frustrating games I’ve ever played in!”

A heartbroken Burgess embraces Sonny Bill Williams following England's 2013 Rugby League World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand at Wembley (Image: SWPix.com)