WARRINGTON Wolves are entering the final preparations for their match of a lifetime against Wigan Warriors in Las Vegas.
The Wire arrived for their historic clash in sunny Sin City on Sunday, two days after making it two wins from two at the start of Super League 2025 with an 18-12 success against Catalans Dragons.
Coaching staff and players have cracked on with business without head coach Sam Burgess on site, as the clash with the reigning champions at Allegiant Stadium looms large on Saturday, kick-off 9.30pm UK time live on Sky Sports.
Burgess’ well-publicised visa issues were not resolved in time for him to board Sunday’s flight with his team but he has gained clearance and will arrive in Vegas tonight, local time.
His assistants Martin Gleeson and Richard Marshall have been in charge of proceedings for the early part of the week, following the plans discussed with their boss.
It is not the first time the duo have led preparations for a game in Burgess’ absence.
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They did so for a visit to Castleford Tigers last August when the Wire chief made a quick dash back to Australia to be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame and only arrived back in the UK on the day of the game.
However, if Burgess had ended up being absent for the occasion it would have been considered a big blow for both Warrington and the event itself, which also features at the same venue the NRL season openers between Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors 9midnight UK time), Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks (4.30am Sunday), as well as a Test match between the Australian Jillaroos and England Women (2am Sunday).
His return to an NRL environment for the first time as a top-flight head coach is billed as a star attraction.
Burgess spent two days at the US Embassy in London prior to Warrington’s Round Two clash with Catalans attempting to resolve the visa issues.
He said after Friday’s match: “Everyone has been great down there and everyone at the Embassy has been fantastic, but these things take time.
"I respect the process and everyone's efforts to get it to this point, but it's essentially out of my control at the moment.
(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
"Everyone has been brilliant – the NRL have, Warrington have, the US Embassy have been fantastic. It's with the border control to get the last thing signed off.
“These things take time – there's time difference between dialogue between England, US and Australia.
“There's a lot of dialogue going on but while one is open, another is closed. Things take a day or two longer than they usually would.”
