Warrington Wolves boss hints at further recruitment & retention announcements
Recruitment plans at Warrington Wolves are well underway for the 2023 season, and head coach Daryl Powell has hinted that the club hasn’t finished yet.
There’s no doubting that Powell has a focus on building one of the strongest packs in Super League for next season.
Forward Thomas Mikaele has made the mid-season switch from the NRL, having made his debut against Wakefield. The club also confirmed the signings of Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson earlier in May for 2023.
New South Wales and Italy international Paul Vaughan will also make the move to the Halliwell Jones Stadium from 2023 on a two-year deal. Connor Wrench also re-signed to a new three-year deal with the club.
And Powell has hinted at further recruitment and retention announcements for the 2023 campaign.
Speaking to Love Rugby League about his recruitment in the forward pack, Powell said: “I think that’s been a focus (building a strong pack). A pack that’s multi-faceted and an ability to play in different ways and it’s got size and robustness about it.
“We’ve got to get this year sorted first, that’s the priority. We can’t look too far ahead, but the way recruitment goes in this country, you have to discuss it while you’re ongoing with the season.
“Clearly we’ve worked hard in that regard. We’re still working on that.
“We’re still working on what that looks like. We feel like we’re in a good place in that regard. There will be announcements on retentions and recruitment in due course.”
Warrington Wolves add experienced Vaughan
31-year-old Vaughan is closing in on 200 NRL games, having made 196 appearances in his career so far. He has scored 29 tries across stints with Canberra Raiders, St George Illawarra and his current club in Canterbury Bulldogs.
He has won two caps for Australia and represented Italy at both the 2013 and 2017 World Cups.
“I think it’s a really important signing,” Powell added on Vaughan.
“I had a zoom call with him this week and he’s a real good pro. The way he’s playing this year, he’s right up there with metres and post-contact metres.
“He’s high in the 90 percents in terms of tackle completion across the season. He’s a high quality player and alongside Thomas Mikaele as well, regular first grade players in the NRL and he (Vaughan) still has lots to offer.
“I think he’s a really important signing for us moving forward over the next two-years.”
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