There’s been plenty of movement in and around Super League ahead of the 2024 campaign, particularly at the hooker role with each move seemingly setting another domino in transition, with one of the key moves being Wigan Warriors’ Sam Powell making the switch to Warrington Wolves.
Powell was with Wigan for all his career, debuting in 2012 and going on to play 250 games in Cherry and White. Only last year die the 31-year-old celebrate his testimonial for services to the game.
As such seeing Powell leave Wigan was somewhat of a shock for many fans but with young Brad O’Neill forging a role as the starter and ex-Leeds Rhinos man Kruise Leeming also arriving, it meant it was time for Powell to make a switch.
Powell was fortunate to end his Wigan career on a high with the Grand Final win but just four weeks later it was confirmed that he would be heading to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, set to play under Sam Burgess at Warrington Wolves.
It marked the end of an era at for Powell with his hometown club but it’s something he wasn’t naïve about, as he explained to Sky Sports.
“I’ve never been closed-minded to think I was going to spend my whole career at Wigan,” Powell said to Sky Sports.
“The way it was going, it probably looked like that, but it’s professional sport at the end of the day and it comes down to a matter of things.
“I look back at my Wigan career now with my wife and my kids, and I’ve got nothing but great memories. They were good times, but I haven’t got long left in the game so I just want to enjoy myself here and give my input where I can.”
He’s landed at Warrington and with big shoes to fill given that England’s number nine Daryl Clark has just left the role, however he’ll have to fight it out with young gun Danny Walker for the role, but more important is the chance to work under England legend Sam Burgess.
“I look at it as a massive positive because I want to coach after I finish playing. I’ve got a chance to work under Sam and see how he does things, and I’ve been under four quality coaches, so the more the merrier.”
Powell is well aware of the competition he faces at Warrington however he’s made it clear that he intends to fight for his starting shirt.
“I don’t mind where I play,” Powell said. “My preference would be hooker, but I just want to be on the field playing.
“Danny and Brad are quality players, probably a little bit different to me and how I play my game. All three of us will be striving to get game time and that’s one of my goals.
“It’s a quality squad here with really good players, and I just wanted to be around it.”
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