Former Sky Sports commentator left ‘stunned’ by Super League transfer

It’s been a busy past week in rugby league with two head coach sackings coinciding with the player registration deadline meaning that a brief summary of the week would be Warrington Wolves sacked Daryl Powell, Leigh Leopards signed ex Wigan Warrior Oliver Gildart, Blake Austin made the switch from Leeds Rhinos to Castleford and then to top it off Friday night saw Andy Last dismissed from his job at the Jungle.

There was also the contract extension for one of Super League’s best in Lachlan Lam which highlighted what a crazy week it was, coming just one week after the confirmed moves of Tyler Dupree to Wigan Warriors.

St Helens also recruited their hooker to step into the shoes of James Roby once he retires at the end of the season as they tied down Warrington Wolves’ Daryl Clark, with the Wire utilising Danny Walker going forward.

Former Sky Sports pundit Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson has suggested that the news of Powell departing the Halliwell Jones was the first domino in the sacking of Daryl Powell.

Speaking on his and former Sky colleague, Eddie Hemmings, podcast titled simply ‘The Eddie and Stevo Podcast’, Stephenson explained how Powell lost the team.

“Well I reckon he lost the team itself or maybe the team wanted to lose the coach, Darryl Powell.

“You know, a few weeks back, it was reported that St. Helens had bought Daryl Clark. Now, to me, Daryl Clark owes quite a lot to Darryl Powell. He virtually steered him through into, shall we say, the top grade whilst at Castleford, and he’s still a damn fine player otherwise St. Helens wouldn’t have gone in for him.

“But I just raised my eyebrows and I’m thinking why on earth would Daryl Powell, who at that time was a coach at Warrington, not do a deal to match what St. Helens gave them.

“So as I said, raised my eyebrows and it came to the see you later alligator”

The search to replace Powell at the Halliwell Jones continues after first choice Justin Holbrook rejected the club in order to stay down under in the NRL.