Sam Burgess ready to lead the service with Warrington as he heads to ‘Church’
SAM Burgess is going to ‘Church’ hoping to have Warrington fans worshipping at the Wolves’ altar.
And playing at Elland Road means much more, to both the boyhood Leeds United fan and his in-laws.
Wire boss Burgess was a shirt-wearing fan of the giants on his doorstep when he was a kid. More than a decade in Australia has not dulled his loyalty.
So defeating Leeds – the Rhinos – at the place where many of his footballing idols played would be extra special, not least to the family of partner Lucy Graham.
“Her family calls it The Church,” Burgess revealed. “They’ll say, ‘Are we going to Church this weekend?’ And they are all coming to Church this weekend.
“I was a Leeds United fan when Michael Bridges and Mark Viduka played for them. I was lucky enough to get a Leeds shirt.
“I think it was a goalkeeper’s shirt as well because it must have been the cheapest one. I think it was a long-sleeved one as well, so it’ll have doubled up as a jumper in winter.
“My parents were smart – getting most from their price per wear as possible.
“And everywhere I go in the world I tell people I’m a Leeds United fan. I came to a couple of games as a kid. Not many because I was always playing sport.
“All my brothers are Leeds lads too. We’re actually Dewsbury boys but Leeds was the city we spent most of our time in.”
Burgess may be a Leeds United fan but he is nothing compared to Warrington prop and Elland Road season ticket holder James Harrison.
Big pal Russell Crowe has even got involved by taking a financial stake in the club, with the man the Hollywood star signed for NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs claiming: “I converted him.”
He has played there before, for England in Four Nations finals and memories of 2009 remain vivid, even the bad ones.
He added: “It was great. It was a decent game, a pretty tight game, until Michael Shenton got knocked out pretty bad.
“I’m trying to forget that last 15 minutes when Jarryd Hayne and Greg Inglis went down that left edge but it was a full stadium. It’d be great if we can get that again tonight.”
Despite memories, tonight’s Magic Weekend clash is all about the business of ending Warrington’s 69-year title drought and a win would take Warrington closer to a home play-off tie and a coveted top two finish.
But he knows Brad Arthur has vastly improved Leeds, who trounced champions Wigan 30-4 last week, which makes the day’s line-up even better.
Burgess said: “Looking at Leeds’ last game, they were pretty good weren’t they? That’s all you have to look at. It will be a good challenge and perfect for the Magic round.
“There are some great games all weekend but today is a blockbuster of a day. Wigan v Saints and then us and Leeds, all in good form. And it means a lot at the moment.”