Super League: Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves brace for huge game at top of table

Sam Burgess’ appointment as Warrington’s head coach may have raised a few eyebrows when it was announced.

It was an audacious move from an ambitious club to transform their fortunes by appointing one of the greats of the game to his first coaching role.

And it is fair to say that it could have all gone wrong – but it has not.

Burgess has revolutionised his Wire side into one which is daring to dream of finally clinching a league title for the first time in the Super League era.

“It’s a great challenge for us as a group to go over to Wigan and play,” he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“They’re the champions for a reason. We’ve played them a couple of times this season and we know what they’re about.

“They’re very consistent. I dare say they’re the most consistent team and have been for the past two years. They’re hard to break down and they compete very hard as champion teams do.”

Warrington’s loss at Wembley was a rare blip on an otherwise promising season. They lost their next game but have won their past four.

Despite Wigan’s surprising loss to Hull FC, Burgess does not expect any sort of mid-season hangover from their opponents.

“Teams do have little bumps and I guarantee they will be a different side this Friday night,” he added.

“We’re Warrington and they’re Wigan and both our seasons are different in so many ways.

“It’s hard to compare two completely different teams coached by two completely different blokes.

“We’ve had some shaky games and also some games where we’ve put things together. On Friday it will be no different.”