Burgess ready to stay on to end Warrington pain

That philosophy was characterised by the appearances of scrum-half Ewan Irwin and centre Arron Lindop at Old Trafford.

Irwin is still only 18 and Lindop just two years older - but they contributed all 10 of their side's points against Wakefield with Lindop crossing for both tries and Irwin adding a conversion.

It is the emergence of that duo and others who are waiting in the wings that gives Burgess belief there will not be another eight-year wait to return to the domestic game's biggest stage.

"This is more of a beginning," said the man who won the National Rugby League Premiership in Australia with South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014.

"We've understood what it takes to get here now - well certainly I have - and the squad we are building now is getting more towards 'my' squad.

"We've understood as a club and a staff what it takes to get here and we're determined to take that next step, but we have got to keep improving.

"I guess we have to let the pain of today drive us forward tomorrow."

For now, that leaves Warrington as the nearly men of rugby league with Wakefield, and not the Wire, becoming the sixth club to join the elite band of Super League winners.