Super League development and Sam Burgess factor convinced NRL star to sign for Warrington Wolves

One of Warrington Wolves’ new signings has explained that the increasing standards of Super League helped persuade him to sign from the NRL.

Warrington Wolves have signed just three players ahead of the 2025 Super League campaign with rugby union convert Alfie Johnson arriving from Leeds Rhinos, Oli Leyland being signed from London Broncos, and Papua New Guinea international Dan Russell joining from the NRL.

Second-rower Russell has made the switch from St George Illawarra Dragons to Warrington and the PNG international has recently spoken to BBC Merseyside to explain the motivations behind his move.

Among the biggest reason is his belief that the gap between Super League and the NRL is getting ever closer, with Russell labelling Super League as a ‘super talented and tough’ competition.

“There’s little differences but not much,” he told BBC Merseyside.

“The level over here is great, super talented and tough and it’s getting similar (to the NRL).”

Warrington Wolves signing hails influence of international teammates in making NRL switch

Recently, Leeds Rhinos full-back and former NRL star Lachie Miller described Super League as more physical but noted how English teams had won the last two World Club Challenges.

We won’t get to see a World Club Challenge this year with the Las Vegas event, which Warrington Wolves are part of, being viewed by Penrith Panthers as blocking a possible clash with Wigan Warriors.

Despite not being able to witness the best of each comp against each other, Russell maintained that Super League is getting ‘close to the NRL’, even revealing that some of his PNG international teammates hailed the level of competition.

He said: “The competition is getting close to the NRL and I can see that. There’s a lot of talent over here now and a lot of young kids coming through and it’s very similar.

“Being on the PNG team for a long time now, there are a lot of PNG boys over here. They’ve always spoken highly about it and how good the competition is.

“They helped a lot but when Sam reached out it made the decision quite easy.”

Russell has been handed the number 26 shirt for the upcoming season and could be in action as soon as this weekend with Warrington set to face Halifax in James Saltonstall’s testimonial match.