Warrington Wolves Head Coach Vows Improvement After Challenge Cup Final Defeat
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has promised his young side will be better equipped the next time they reach a final, following their comprehensive 21-8 defeat to Wigan Warriors in the 2024 Challenge Cup showpiece.
The Warriors, who extended their record as the most successful club in the history of the competition with a 21st title, were in control for the vast majority of the game at Wembley. Tries from Zach Eckersley, Bevan French, and Liam Farrell sealed the victory for Wigan.
Warrington’s only response came through Australian full-back Matt Dufty, who was also sin-binned by referee Chris Kendall earlier in the match.
“We’ve got a young squad and there were 12 players there tonight that have never played in a final,” the 35-year-old explained. “You’d like to think they’re going to be better next time… it’s experience for us as a group, a new group with a new coach.”
Currently sitting fourth in the Super League table, just two points behind leaders St Helens and Wigan, Burgess insists the Challenge Cup final defeat will not shake his team’s confidence. “It’s only going to make us better in the long run,” he said. “Like them, it’s my first final as a coach. I look at myself, where I can get better, where I can improve and how I can get them better prepared. That’ll be part of my own development.”
Despite the disappointment of the result, Burgess remains optimistic about Warrington’s prospects for the remainder of the season, as they look to build on their impressive campaign and secure a top-two finish in the Super League.
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