NRL clubs monitoring Sam Burgess' blossoming coaching career may be forced to wait a little longer for his services after the South Sydney great signed an extension with Super League leaders Warrington.
Burgess, who left his role as an assistant coach at the Rabbitohs last year to move to Warrington, has agreed to a new deal with the English outfit.
Originally contracted until the end of 2025, the 35-year-old has penned a 12-month extension.
The former England Test star has been speculated as an NRL coach-in-waiting but his new deal will ensure he remains with the Wolves until the end of 2026.
"I love the town (Warrington) and the community and both me and my family are really enjoying our time here," Burgess said in a statement.
"The support from the board has been fantastic and the fans have been brilliant with me.
"We're heading in the right direction and I felt two years wasn't enough and a third gives us more scope to plan with what we're building here."
Burgess has been tasked with arguably the hardest job in the British game - ending Warrington's premiership drought which stretches back to 1955.
But the dual-code international has already shown promise as a coach.
Warrington sit in first place on the Super League table and went to the Challenge Cup final in June, where they lost to Wigan.
Warrington chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick added: "I think we've got the best and most sought-after young coach in the game.
"The foundations he and his team are laying will hopefully set us up for something special for a long time."
with PA