Warrington Wolves coach Daryl Powell on his love of boats, water and challenge
Daryl Powell’s had enough of stormy waters and is now ready for plain sailing with Warrington.
The Wolves head coach loves nothing better than heading out on a boat in his rare time off. He needed it for peace and quiet last term to help deal with his rocking side’s disastrous campaign. But with new-look Warrington kicking off the Betfred Super League season against Leeds on Friday night, he’s hoping he’s finally steadied the ship.
Powell, who owned a 23 foot cruiser when Castleford boss, explained: “I love water. With the sun shining on it, there’s no better feeling. It’s a great escape for me. We don’t get much sun here but when I get the opportunity I just love being able to get out on the water.
“You don’t get much time off as a head coach so when you do, you have to make it feel like you’re away in some sanctuary. That’s the way I've tried to do things for a few years now. I love just being able to escape and chill out. We’d go down the river at York - but now it’s Bridgewater Canal in Warrington!”
Yet Powell’s best-laid plans have already smashed the rocks. Star Aussie signing Josh McGuire was hit with a SEVEN game ban on Tuesday for unacceptable language involving disability discrimination. But big-spending Warrington - who’ve also lost new prop Gil Dudson to a broken hand - aren’t appealing the huge suspension and will crack on without the World Cup-winning loose forward.
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After Wolves spluttered badly in 11th last term, Powell, 57, has already stated he’s no excuses in his second season at the helm. But has he ever thought he’s bitten off more than he can chew? The ex-Great Britain international insisted: "Life’s all about challenges and if you don’t accept challenges what have you got?
Daryl Powell, who believes his new-look Warrington side will rise to the challenge of consigning last season's Super League nightmare to history when the new campaign kicks off on Thursday. (Richard Sellers/PA Wire) (PA)“You just fade away into retirement. That’s never been it for me. Castleford was a massive challenge, as was Featherstone and Leeds when I took that on years ago. I’ve been through loads of things and every step of the way you learn a lot about yourself, about people and different teams you have to deal with in a different way.
“Last year was a huge learning curve for me. I’ve come out of it, though. And I think I’ve improved as a person. I’ve become more durable. I had to. I’m a more rounded coach now than I was at the start of last year. But if I’d not taken that challenge on I wouldn’t be.”
On Rhinos, he added: “Leeds have mixed it up in pre-season and it’s hard to see who’s going to play where for them. But I think we’re in great shape. And we have to prove what we’re about.”
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