Sam Burgess: Warrington Wolves head coach resolves visa issue and travels to Las Vegas for Super League match
Sam Burgess has arrived in Las Vegas in time for Warrington Wolves' historic Betfred Super League clash against Wigan Warriors; Burgess' travel was delayed after not holding a visa to travel to the United States; watch live this Saturday on Sky Sports
Thursday 27 February 2025 21:37, UK
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has arrived in Las Vegas for their historic Super League match after having his visa issues resolved and being cleared to travel.
Burgess was unable to travel with the squad to Vegas on Sunday for their showdown with Wigan Warriors at the Allegiant Stadium, part of a quadruple-header of live matches in Las Vegas on Saturday night and all live on Sky Sports.
The former England international revealed last week that his application had been held up and there had been no indication when it might be approved, but Burgess secured his visa earlier this week.
- Super League in Las Vegas: Latest news and build-up 📰
- Rugby League in Las Vegas! All you need to know 🎰
- Super League's 2025 fixtures - every game live on Sky 🏉
- Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺
Burgess was due to hold a press conference in Las Vegas at 4pm UK time on Wednesday (8am PT) before being replaced by first-team coach Martin Gleeson, he then touched down in the United States later that day.
"The process was a lot longer than anticipated, it was touch and go getting my passport out of the embassy," Burgess told Sky Sports. "But managed to get things done and as soon as I got my passport back I was on a flight within two or three hours and here before I knew it.
"The guys are in good spirits. Earlier in the week it's about acclimatising, it's a bit Hollywood, there's a lot of extra things going on. We have to get our minds on the job now. We're primed and we'll be ready.
"It's been awesome. My flight was full of Wigan and Warrington fans, it's a great atmosphere. It's going to be phenomenal. It's going to be an amazing week for the players, the fans, it's good to be part of it.
"It's probably the biggest occasion in Super League in a little while, there's certainly a buzz around the place. It's credit to the players, they should enjoy it."
Gleeson told reporters that Burgess would link up with his Warrington squad on Thursday as planned, where Wolves will have an opposed training session against NRL side Penrith Panthers.
"It's obviously a huge bonus," Gleeson said at his press conference.
"[The players] just took it in their stride. Obviously it's out of our control, what's happened. The lads just got on with the job and it is what it is - we have that kind of mentality.
"We knew there was a high probability he'd be getting over midweek, so everything's gone according to plan. The lads will be pumped, they'll be buzzing."
Burgess wins race for Vegas visa
Burgess, 36, spent two days in London last week attending appointments at the US embassy, while an image posted on social media on Tuesday evening saw him travelling back to the capital with his suitcase.
"It's probably been stressful for him, I've got to say, obviously with the uncertainty and the unknowing," Gleeson added.
"I know he had to go down to London to get some things approved that were pending. I got a message from him this morning that it had gone through and it had been approved and he was jumping on the next flight.
Subscribe now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Spreaker
"I think it all got sorted this morning. We had the plans in place that as soon as he did get the go ahead, he'd be straight on, which is what's happened."
Over 10,000 rugby league fans have travelled from the UK for the Las Vegas event, which also features two games from Australia's NRL and a women's international between England and Australia, with Warrington chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick insisting Burgess' visa saga has not overshadowed the week.
"Absolutely not," Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports on Tuesday. "These are the cards that we've been dealt and we'll deal with it accordingly.
"The buzz around the place has not been brought down whatsoever by Sam's visa application. It is what it is."
Burgess has been one of the faces promoting the Las Vegas event and said after Wolves' 18-12 victory over Catalans Dragons last Friday night: "It's going to be a really enjoyable week for everyone.
"I want them to soak it up, take something out of the experience, and deliver a performance over there next Saturday."
Rugby League in Vegas - how to watch or stream
All the action from the event will be live on Sky Sports on Saturday from 8.30pm GMT. After some bumper build-up, Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves will kick-off at 9.30pm, with Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors from midnight.
Australian Jillaroos vs England Women will then take place from 2am, with the festival closing out with Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks from 4.30am.
Rugby League Las Vegas Festival 2025 - Full schedule
- Betfred Super League - Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves (9.30pm GMT)
- NRL - Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors (12am)
- Test Match - Australian Jillaroos vs England Women (2am)
- NRL - Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (4.30am)
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining four matches each week shown on Sky Sports+. Stream with NOW.
