WHATEVER happens at Wembley, there will be mixed feelings for the family of one of Warrington Wolves’ key players.
Hooker Sam Powell has been a big part of Sam Burgess’ side since his off-season arrival from Wigan Warriors – his hometown club with whom he had spent his entire professional career before then.
A Wigan lad surrounded by Warriors fans and still living in the town, stepping out at Wembley against them will certainly be surreal for the 31-year-old but he has already got those most important to him on-side.
“There’s been a little bit,” he said when asked if there had been an increase in pre-Wembley teasing from his nearest and dearest.
“One side of the family is going to be disappointed, but it’s all good.
“It was very surreal when I came here but as soon as I saw my little girls running around in Warrington kits, it’s been down to business. They’re young enough to adapt quite quickly to a different team.
“I know at least they will be shouting for me, my wife and my parents too.”
It is not just the family element for Powell, either – Saturday will see him do battle with people he still lists among his closest friends.
He can count the vast majority of the current Wigan group as former teammates having helped them win the Super League Grand Final last year and the Challenge Cup in 2022, although he missed the final through suspension.
However, it is nothing new for the man who made his 300th professional appearance in the Super League contest between the two last week.
“I’ve been playing against friends for years,” he said.
“People I came through with at Wigan have gone to other teams, so it’s something I’m used to having spent a long time at one club.
“When the game starts, it’s business as usual and I’ll be focused on getting my game right and doing my job for the team.
“I catch up for coffees with some of the Wigan lads every few weeks. It’s not just me either – our families are close too.
“It’s good to see them travelling good.”
Having been around for four Super League title wins, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge victory, Powell certainly knows a thing or two about what it takes to win trophies.
The experience and leadership he brings were among the key reasons for Burgess wanting to bring the England Knights international to The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
So far, it is looking like something of a masterstroke – Powell’s on-field guidance is clearly visible during games and he remains the only ever-present player for Warrington this season.
So does he feel the raw materials are there for Wire to get a taste of the sustained success he helped bring to their neighbours?
“If someone knew what the ingredients were for success, they’d be a millionaire,” he said.
“What I see is people coming in every day wanting to get better. That’s how teams become winners.
“We’ve got great coaching staff, good leadership and people that are hungry not just to win at the weekend but come in on a Monday or a Tuesday and better themselves.”
While it remains early days, the start to Burgess’ head coaching career has a similar “everything he touches turns to gold” feel to when opposite number Matt Peet took over down the A49.
In just over two years in the job, Peet has won every trophy available to him and while expecting that kind of unprecedented success of Burgess would be unfair, Powell says parallels can be drawn.
“I see similarities in that they’re both winners,” he said.
“That’s the reason I signed here – as soon as I spoke to Sam for the first time, my wife said she could tell how excited I was about coming to Warrington.
“It was a fresh start for the club and for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but you can see the boys are really playing for him.
“Sam’s come in to change things and I’m on board with that – I want to play as well as I can for him.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here