Burgess coy on Perth links, Musgrove exit

Warrington Wolved head coach Sam Burgess tried to shut down reports linking him with a coaching job at Perth Bears; Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur confirmed he had spoken to the Bears ahead of them joining the NRL in 2027, but Burgess was less forthcoming; the former England international addressed Zane Musgrove's mid-season exit as well

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Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com - 18/05/2025 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League: Round 11 - Wakefield Trinity vs Warrington Wolves - The DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield, England - Warrington head coach Sam Burgess

SAM Burgess was evasive when quizzed about reports in Australia linking the Warrington Wolves head coach with a move back to the NRL.

Various outlets have reported the former England international and Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur were among those interviewed by Perth Bears, who are expected to appoint rugby league great Mal Meninga as their head coach for their debut season in 2027.

But while Arthur confirmed he had spoken witb Bears representatives as he looks set to depart the Rhinos at the end of the 2025 Betfred Super League season, Burgess tried to play it all down.

“Rumours are just rumours, aren’t they?” Burgess, whose contract with Warrington was extended to the end of 2026 in July last year, told Sky Sports.

“It’s just a rumour for now, there’s nothing confirmed, so a rumour is just a rumour.”

That “for now” more than hints this might become less of a rumour, particularly when it is immediately followed by “there’s nothing confirmed”.

Which implies something could be confirmed.

Or, at the very least, discussions around something which haven’t led to anything being confirmed have taken place.

But yes, a rumour is just a rumour. Right up until the point it isn’t, that is.

On the subject of rumours, Zane Musgrove’s sudden departure from the Wolves ahead of Friday’s 31-12 defeat to Hull KR sparked all sorts of gossip.

The Samoa international forward, who has since joined Betfred Championship side Oldham, was expected to depart at the end of the year anyway, and Burgess would not be drawn on the reasons behind Musgrove’s mid-season exit.

He did, however, confirm the Wolves are unlikely to seek an immediate replacement.

“I don’t think we really need to go into the details, it’s been dealt with internally and we’ve gone through the process,” Burgess said.

“We wish Zane all the best…and hopefully he’ll get some good football under his belt.

“We’ll see how the season unfolds and if anything of interest comes up.

“Right now, I don’t think [we’ll bring in a replacement].”