SAM Burgess has launched a scathing attack on the way the Rugby Football League’s revamped disciplinary system has been rolled out.

From admitting he heard about the new system in the media to raising the possibility of not accepting any sanctions handed down in friendly fixtures, the Warrington Wolves head coach was heavily critical of the lack of information he had received as well as features of the new way of handing out on-field punishments.

It has been widely reported that the 2025 season’s new disciplinary system will see players accumulate points depending on the grading of their offence, with suspensions triggered when a certain number of points are accrued.

The RFL have still not publicly confirmed the introduction of the new system, and Burgess told the press assembled at The Wire’s pre-season media day that he had only been told what it entails earlier today.

He took issue with the expected notion that suspensions incurred during the 2024 season will be carried over and applied to the new system, meaning the likes of Paul Vaughan could find themselves being handed a lengthy ban for even a minor offence.

“I was sent that this morning, so no,” Burgess said when asked about whether or not he and other head coaches had been contacted about the changes.

“I’m just telling the truth – we’re three weeks out from the season and I was told about it this morning. There’s a lot of frustrating stuff.

“I think the system looks alright from what I’ve seen of it but nothing should carry over. It’s a new season so how does that work?

“All of the players have paid the price for their past indiscretions, so let’s move on. If we’re having a new system, just start it now.

“I read about it in the press before I was told about it, probably like most head coaches.”

With Warrington’s first pre-season friendly against Widnes Vikings coming up on Friday, Burgess questioned how he was supposed to accept any potential sanctions from the game under the new system if it had not been properly explained to him or his players.

“I got in touch with the league in mid-December to see if they’d come out and give us the new legislation and rules, which Paul Cullen did last year and it was very informative,” he said.

“But they said they weren’t ready for it and now, a month later, we’ve still not had anyone out to explain what’s going on.

“We’re playing a game in 24 hours and I don’t know what they’re going to do if they want to sanction one of my players because I just won’t accept it.

“What am I supposed to do? It’s tough, isn’t it?

“We’re all playing the same rules but if they’re changing the system, it’s not been explained to us.”