Ben Currie has had an up and down career, and yet still plenty of players would gladly swap with him.
Currie has scored sensational Wembley tries, watched the ball spill out of his hands when a Challenge Cup try beckoned, led his side to an unlikely cup success in 2019 and has suffered heartbreak at Old Trafford.
Nonetheless, he has been one of the best backrowers in Super League for some time and in 2023 will be rewarded for this with a testimonial.
And what better way to reflect on his career than the man who gave him his first opportunity in a brilliant Warrington side.
Tony Smith is perhaps Warrington’s greatest coach of the summer era and led them to plenty of silverware and certainly developed some of the Wolves next stars including Currie who made his debut under Smith in 2012 as a 17-year-old.
On this, Smith told the Warrington website: “There was never any hesitation to put him forward to play as a youngster.
As aforementioned, Currie has had a career full of highs and lows including some frustrating injuries.
However, his former boss is backing him to have the best year of his career in 2023, but not against his Hull FC side: “He’s had some testing times like every player does during their career.
“I know in Ben’s character that he’ll be resilient about some of the things that have happened and be determined to keep striving to be better. He’s a terrific athlete and player with his skillset.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he had the best year of his career ahead of him. I wish him well apart from those days when he plays against my team!”
You can read the full, very insightful interview with Smith here.
