Warrington boss provides the latest on Dudson and Kasiano injuries

Saturday’s pre-season victory for Warrington against Leigh came at a cost, with new signings Gil Dudson and Sam Kasiano suffering injuries.

Powerhouse props Dudson and Kasiano, who both arrived from Catalans Dragons in the off-season, picked up injuries in their 22-10 win over newly-promoted Leigh in Ben Currie’s testimonial on Saturday.

Wales international Dudson has suffered a broken hand, meaning he is likely to miss the first couple of rounds of the season.

“Gil Dudson has broken his hand so I’m not sure how long he is going to be out,” Powell said. “He may need an operation on that.”

Meanwhile, Kasiano’s injury is thought to be less serious. The former New Zealand and Samoa international took a knock to his hip.

“He’s got a bit of a hip flexor injury so we’ll have to sort that early on in this week,” Powell said. “But I don’t think it’s going to be too much of an issue. Hopefully it will be okay.”

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Daryl Powell happy with where Warrington are at

The Wolves have had a strong recruitment drive over the off-season. They’ve signed front-rowers Josh McGuire and Paul Vaughan from the NRL as well as Josh Drinkwater, Kasiano and Dudson from Catalans.

Scotland international winger Matty Russell, who has played in three World Cups, has returned to Warrington.

Powell says he is pleased with where his squad are at following their first hit-out of 2023 against Leigh.

“Well I thought it was perfect, a real challenge,” Powell added.

“I thought we started a little bit sloppy and that invited a lot of pressure on us. I thought we defended great and had great line speed.

“Leigh are a real challenge. I thought thought they were they were pretty strong. Obviously they beat Leeds the other week. Conditions were tough and I thought we had to battle our way out in a tough game and I thought we did a great job of it.”

Powell is eager to see the heights his half-back partnership of George Williams and Drinkwater can reach this season.

He added: “George is dangerous. He started the game a little bit off slow but then he was he was great. I thought he was outstanding in the second half.

“I thought Drinky (Drinkwater) controlled the game in the second half. His kicking game was was excellent put us in in great positions and and on the back of that our defence controlled the game.”

Warrington get their Super League season underway against Leeds on Thursday, February 16.

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