SAM Burgess has already had one too many Magic Weekends ruined by Leeds Rhinos.
Having been on the wrong end of one of the most iconic Magic moments in the early days of his playing career, he is determined to make some better memories as head coach of Warrington Wolves this weekend.
Burgess – then just 18 years of age – was in the Bradford Bulls team that faced Leeds at the very first Magic Weekend at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium back in 2007 in a game that became an all-time classic with a controversial ending.
Jordan Tansey’s try on the hooter, which came as he followed up a Kevin Sinfield penalty that hit the crossbar despite appearing to be offside, secured a 42-38 win for the Rhinos in a moment that is still talked about to this day.
The Magic Weekend concept grew in popularity as Burgess’ career burgeoned in Australia and now he’s back in England, the Wire boss is looking forward to seeing what it has become close-up.
“There was a bit of Magic when I played – Jordan Tansey appeared from nowhere,” he joked.
“I played in three of them – Cardiff twice and Murrayfield once – and you always looked forward to it as a player.
“I think it’s going to be great at Leeds – it’s a great city that gets behind sporting events.
“Saturday is a blockbuster of a day – Hull v London is a big game, Wigan v Saints doesn’t need a sell and then it’s us and Leeds, with Leeds being probably the form team in the comp at the moment.
“They’re fighting to crack into the six and are buying into what Brad (Arthur, Rhinos head coach) is bringing.
“We’ve got our own challenges as well, but it’s a cracking day.”
While Magic Weekend usually sees all 12 Super League clubs competing on neutral ground, Warrington are certainly at something of a disadvantage this time around.
They are the ones drawn to face Leeds in their home city and with Elland Road heading towards a Saturday sell-out, a partisan crowd is set to be firmly in the Rhinos’ corner.
When asked about that prospect, however, Burgess was non-plussed.
“Great. We want the challenge,” he said.
“It will probably be like a home game for them and it will be a hostile environment, but we’re seeing it as another chance to grow as a group and take something on that’s a good challenge.
“We’ll be outside of our comfort zone and we’ll embrace it.”
They will also be facing a Leeds side who are growing impressively under Brad Arthur, who watched from the stands as they lost to Burgess’ side at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in Round 17 last month having just been appointed on a deal until the end of 2024.
Their four games under his charge since then have yielded defeats to Hull KR and Salford Red Devils as well as victories over Huddersfield Giants and, latterly, Wigan Warriors.
Their 30-4 win over the defending champions at Headingley on Saturday sent out an impressive statement, and Burgess expects them to be better again this weekend.
“They’re showing a lot of what Brad stands for which is starting hard, trying to be physical defensively and working on their effort-based stuff,” he said.
“Those things are big towards getting a result and they’re doing them, so they’re clearly listening to them.
“They’re going to be good – they’ll be better again than last week as they’re gradually growing.”
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