Daryl Powell reflects on warm-weather training and integrating star signings

Warrington Wolves are currently working on some warm-weather training in Portugal as they prepare for the 2023 campaign.

The Wire are aiming to build on what was one of their worst seasons in recent memory as they finished 11th in the 2022 Super League season.

That was head coach, Daryl Powell’s, maiden campaign leading the Wolves and for a team and coach used to success it simply wasn’t good enough hence the Wire have recruited incredibly well and are trying to gain every advantage heading into 2023, including this warm-weather training camp.

Speaking to WireTV in a short clip shared to the team’s Twitter, Powell explained why they’ve undertaken the camp and what can be expected as a result of it.

“It’s great for us to get here as a group and focus on rugby, obviously we’ve got  a little bit of downtime today but set our goals for what is going to be a hugely important season for all of us.

“There’s a great feel around the camp, around the players and around the staff. We’re just look forward to the challenge ahead now.”

Warrington have done plenty of business in the off-season with the arrival of six key players in the form of Catalans Dragons’ trio, Gil Dudson, Josh Drinkwater and Sam Kasiano.

Former Wolves man Matty Russell has been re-signed from Toulouse, whilst NRL imports include forwards Paul Vaughan and Josh McGuire.

Powell spoke on the turnover and therefore the necessity for the squad to get reps in, something that’s even more important considering George Williams now has a new playing partner in the halves with Drinkwater coming in for Castleford-bound Gareth Widdop.

🗣️ It's time to hear from the Boss following our week in Portugal 🇵🇹

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 20, 2023

“The common goals that we want to achieve this year is about players being together, learning a lot more about each other.

“Particularly with us having so many new players this year, you don’t always get that bond until you get into the season so these camps are a great opportunity for players to learn about each other, have that banter and start to grow the unity.

“I think we have great unity anyway, we’ve done some awesome things prior to Christmas and then this camp is almost a reward for the players and how they’ve done and it gives us an opportunity to really nail down how we want to play.”

Consequent to their January warm-weather training the Wire only have two pre-season friendlies as they face Leigh on February 4th for Ben Currie’s testimonial before North Wales Crusaders make the trip to the Halliwell Jones six days later.

A further six days after that the Wire kick the Super League off as they host Leeds Rhinos in what Warrington fans hope to be a bounce back year.