If there is one Super League side that wants to see the back of 2022, it is the Warrington Wolves.
Just six points clear of Toulouse Olympique at the bottom of the Super League table, Warrington have been in dismal form this season as new head coach Daryl Powell attempts to put his stamp on the club.
That has seen the likes of Warrington stalwarts Mike Cooper, Chris Hill and Josh Charnley exit the club whilst incoming signings such as Matt Dufty and Thomas Mikaele have been tasked with filling the void.
Though that has yet to be successful, the signs are there that the Cheshire club are building for something great in 2023, especially with the likes of Sam Kasiano, Gil Dudson and Paul Vaughan to be joining Powell and his revolution.
And, one of those signings in particular should excite Warrington fans – that is Italian international Paul Vaughan who has been in inspired form for the Canterbury Bulldogs this season in the NRL after signing just a one-year deal at the club for this season.
It’s his post-contact metres which are the most impressive facet about his gameplay, with Vaughan sitting in third with a mammoth 1378 post-contact metres, just eight behind Brisbane Broncos’ Payne Haas in second.
A stand-out stat for our new recruit for 2023 Paul Vaughan 💪🔋 pic.twitter.com/uaG0hEj83h
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) August 22, 2022
In a competition where it is perhaps more difficult for forwards to be destructive, it bodes well for Warrington that Vaughan is excelling Down Under before he gets on his flight to Cheshire.
Standing at 6ft 4ins and weighing 17st 3lbs, Vaughan will be an incredible figure in the middle of the Wolves’ pack in 2023.
At the time of signing, Vaughan said: “I’m very excited to be making the move to Warrington next year.
“I’ve been extremely lucky with my career in the NRL and I’ve always wanted to come over and test myself in the UK.
“I played in a World Cup in England back in 2013 and I always said to myself if given the opportunity to play over there I’d like to take it up.
“I’m close to playing my 200th game over here and I feel I’ve still got a lot more to give with my footy. I’m coming over with really good intentions to put my best foot forward. I’m my own harshest critic and I like to get the best out of myself week in week out.
“I just want to play good footy and to be part of a successful team. I can’t wait to get started.”
Though 2022 has been a disappointment, it is an exciting time to be a Wire fan!
