Sometimes the most important words come from unexpected voices, as former NRL star turned coach Sam Burgess learned during his time at Warrington Wolves.
South Sydney Rabbitohs premiership hero and Clive Churchill Medal winner has guided the Wolves to third place in the Super League standings ahead of their final round clash with the London Broncos this weekend.
That included beating Huddersfield 66-0 in their last outing.
So before their final regular-season game against the Broncos, Burgess turned to the shortest member of his team — who also has the biggest heart — to give him a pregame speech.
Oliver Thomason has Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability and developmental delays.
His brother Craig runs the Warrington Wolves Charity Foundation, which has worked closely with the club to establish a wheelchair competition and a newly formed league for players like Oliver with intellectual disabilities.
He had been invited to the club’s last training session to meet the players, where he received the kind offer made by Burgess.
Oliver is more than just a huge Wolves fan – he plays in the Learning Disability Super League and is considered part of the team by his first graders.
He was also named Official Inclusion Ambassador for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
It’s no wonder then that Sam hugged Oliver and allowed him to give a speech to the team before the big showdown.
Warrington Wolves manager Sam Burgess handed the ball to Oliver Thomason during the final team meeting and allowed him to address the team ahead of their clash with the London Broncos.
Oliver had the opportunity to play for Warrington in the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League.
“There’s a big game in this stadium tomorrow, so lads, make sure no one can get past you,” Oliver told the team.
“Formations, this guy, big Sam, always gets these lads fit, Danny Walker and you too, lad,” he said to raucous laughter, as he appeared to mock one of the players with a joke.
‘And also, make it our year, and listen, don’t let the London Broncos run your field,’ he continued.
“We are the Wolves and we are going to win next season. All we have to do is attack the Wolves!”
It was an emotional speech that had players roaring in approval and left fans praising Burgess for allowing Oliver to have his moment of glory.
“Love it, great team talk Oliver, that should motivate the team,” posted one.
“(Former Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager) Brian Clough couldn’t have done better,” added another.
“Awww we love you Oli, as do the boys and the boss,” posted another fan.
Burgess (pictured with partner Lucy Graham and daughter Robbie) is a rookie manager at Warrington but has led the club to the final in his first year.
Craig Thomason (left) has been an advocate for his brother Oliver (right) by helping to create the Learning Disability Super League so he could play the sport he loves.
Oliver, 32, has recently spoken about the thrill he felt at being part of his beloved club not only behind the scenes, but also on the pitch, thanks to his brother.
“There’s been a big gap between when I was playing at school and now,” he said. BBC.
“When I was young, all I wanted was to be in a team, a rugby team, so I could score, pass and do what I have to do. Now I am that person.
‘I’m having a good time, people are following me. I can see what I’ve achieved from when I was young until now.
“Craig is more than a brother, he is my teammate and my coach. I love him very much.”
But Craig doesn’t think he inspired his brother; he thinks Oliver inspired him and many others in Warrington.
“Thinking back to those football days and seeing Oliver there and participating has probably shaped why I do what I do now,” Craig told BBC Sport.
“In the 90s it was a very avant-garde decision. For my teammates, it was a natural thing for Oliver to join us.
‘There’s very little of my life that I can remember before Oliver, but I can remember when my mum and dad first came over and told me about Oliver and said he was going to be a little different to us, but he’d just need a little more time to learn things.
“I thought, ‘Okay.’ This is Oliver and that’s who he is. He needs a little bit of time, but you have to get him involved.”
