When Lee Briers left Warrington Wolves at the end of the 2021 Super League season, a number of eyebrows were raised.
Here was a man who had given his whole career and life to the Cheshire club, leaving to make way for the new coaching staff under Daryl Powell.
Briers went his own way to join Wigan Warriors whilst fellow Warrington assistant coach Andrew Henderson went to Keighley Cougars as Director of Rugby.
However, Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson believes that not keeping Briers on was a major mistake by Powell.
“I thought it straightaway (a mistake not to keep hold of Briers), but a lot of coaches do it,” Stevo told the Eddie and Stevo podcast.
“They say ‘it’s my way of thinking’ but that man was through and through Warrington.
“He could have been a great ally for Powell and it did surprise me at the time because he’s a hero and there aren’t many heroes at our game who play so long and are so dominant.”
Stevo also feels that Wigan could not believe their luck when a man of such calibre became available.
“You could tell Wigan said ‘wow this is a great opportunity’, this is one of the greatest halfbacks that has played rugby league.
“Imagine the amount of knowledge he can pass onto young kids and let’s face it the three-quarter line and the two halfbacks at Wigan aren’t doing too badly are they?”