Sam Powell
{{short description|English professional rugby league footballer}}
{{about||the Australian rules footballer|Sam Powell-Pepper|the English footballer|Sam Powell (footballer)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Sam Powell
|fullname = Samuel Powell[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/yIhRMxakjQ4KkHD3nt5SOvH-kSw/appointments Companies House]
|image = Sam Powell.jpg
|image_size =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|07|03|df=yes}}{{cite web|url= http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/10920|title= Sam Powell Warrington Wolves#33|author=|date=2015|website= superleague.co.uk|publisher= Rugby Football League|access-date=2 August 2015}}
|birth_place = Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
| height = {{convert|1.78|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| weight = {{convert|84|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|position = {{rlp|HK|SH|SO}}
|club1 = Wigan Warriors
|year1start = 2012
|year1end = 23
|appearances1 = 250
|tries1 = 35
|goals1 = 11
|fieldgoals1 = 4
|points1 = 166
|club2 = {{nowrap|→ South Wales Scorpions}}
|year2start = 2013({{Abbrlink|DR|Super League#Dual registration}})
|year2end =
|appearances2 = 7
|tries2 = 2
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 8
|club3 = → Workington Town
|year3start = 2014({{Abbrlink|DR|Super League#Dual registration}})
|year3end =
|appearances3 = 1
|tries3 = 0
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 0
|club4 = → Workington Town
|year4start = 2015({{Abbrlink|DR|Super League#Dual registration}})
|year4end =
|appearances4 = 1
|tries4 = 2
|goals4 = 0
|fieldgoals4 = 0
|points4 = 8
|club5 = Warrington Wolves
|year5start = 2024
|year5end = present
|appearances5 = 16
|tries5 = 2
|goals5 = 0
|fieldgoals5 = 0
|points5 = 4
|teamA = {{nowrap|England Knights}}
|yearAstart = 2018
|yearAend = present
|appearancesA = 3
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|source = [http://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Sam-Powell/ Loverugbyleague.com profile][http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/sam-powell/summary.html Rugby League Project]
|updated = 10 November 2023
}}
Sam Powell (born 3 July 1992) is an English rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|sh}} or {{rlp|hk}} for the Warrington Wolves in the Super League and the England Knights at international level.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-scores/england-knights-v-jamaica-international-2019/719012#lineup|title=England Knights v Jamaica|publisher=WWOS|date=20 October 2019|accessdate=24 October 2019}}
He has spent time on dual-registration from Wigan with Workington Town in the Championship and with the South Wales Scorpions in League 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.rlcm.com.au/latest-news/21745-rugby-league|title=South Wales Scorpions hail Northern Rail revival |work=Rugby League Coaching Manuals|date=13 March 2013|accessdate= 7 April 2013}} After signing for Wigan as a youngster his first team début came in a 2012 Super League game against Hull FC.{{cite news|url=http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/a-dream-debut-for-powell-1-4806956|title=A dream début for Powell|newspaper=Wigan Observer|date= 6 August 2012|accessdate= 7 April 2013}}
Background
Powell was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England.
Club career
= Wigan Warriors =
Powell signed for the Wigan academy aged 16 and progressed through the ranks winning the Academy Grand Final against Warrington in 2011.
== 2012 ==
Powell got his debut for Wigan against Hull F.C. during August, scoring a try in the 48–10 victory. He started at scrum-half after Brett Finch suffered a hamstring injury.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby-league/wigan-warriors/a-dream-debut-for-powell-1-4806956|title=A dream debut for Powell|website=wigantoday.net|language=en|access-date=2018-01-19}}
== 2013 ==
Powell made 16 appearances scoring tries against Hull KR, London Broncos and Huddersfield Giants. His kicking game was one of the reasons for his run in the team, a long range drop goal winning the game against Widnes Vikings in early June. Powell was then called up to the England Knights squad alongside fellow Warriors Dominic Crosby, Iain Thornley and Scott Taylor. He made his debut for the side against Samoa scoring two tries in the 52–16 victory.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/eng-knigh-vs-samoa/39744|title=Rugby League World Cup: England Knights thrash Samoa 52-16 at the Salford City Stadium|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=2018-01-19|language=en}}
== 2014 ==
Powell was handed the number 19 shirt for the new season and made 22 appearances scoring against Bradford Bulls, Salford Red Devils and Hull FC. Halfway through the season coach Shaun Wane decided to experiment with the halfback pairing, moving George Williams from hooker to stand off, with Powell starting at dummy half. This would become a permanent switch after Williams impressed in the halves.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby-league/wigan-warriors/sam-and-george-trading-places-1-6710766|title=Sam and George trading places|website=wigantoday.net|language=en|access-date=2018-01-19}}
He was part of the team that lost the 2014 Super League Grand Final to St. Helens at Old Trafford in a game famous for a Ben Flower red card.{{cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/11156623/St-Helens-14-Wigan-Warriors-6-Moment-of-madness-from-Wales-international-Ben-Flower-costs-Wigan-dear.html|title= St Helens 14 Wigan Warriors 6: Moment of madness from Wales international Ben Flower costs Wigan dear|date= 11 October 2014 |work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=15 October 2014}}{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/oct/11/st-helens-wigan-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title= St Helens win Grand Final after Wigan's Ben Flower is sent off|date= 11 October 2014 |work=The Guardian |accessdate=15 October 2014}}{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/29559845|title= St Helens 14–6 Wigan Warriors|date= 11 October 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=15 October 2014}}
== 2015 ==
The new Super League season play 23 times for the Wigan club with more appearances coming from the bench showing a positional change from halfback to hooker. His only try of the season came against Hull F.C. in late July.
He made his second appearance at Old Trafford losing out to the Leeds Rhinos in a tense 2015 Super League Grand Final.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/10/leeds-wigan-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title=Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final|work=The Guardian|date=10 October 2015|accessdate=8 November 2019}}
== 2016 ==
Powell was handed the number 16 shirt for the new season, an early indication that he would be playing mainly from the bench replacing Michael McIlorum at hooker. This however was not to be the case after McIlorum suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle against the Brisbane Broncos in just the third game of the season.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12215/10176171/wigan-fear-michael-mcilorum-could-be-out-for-six-months|title=Wigan fear Michael McIlorum could be out for six months|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=2018-01-19|language=en}} Despite initial speculation that Wigan would have to bring in a replacement Powell made the role his own playing 36 times playing on many occasions 80 minutes per game. Tries again St. Helens, Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity and Hull F.C. ensured it was his most successful season in both appearances and scores.
He won the Super League Grand Final on the third time of asking in a tense affair which saw the Wigan Warriors beat the Warrington Wolves 12–6 at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/oct/08/super-league-grand-final-warrington-wigan-live|title=Warrington 6-12 Wigan: Super League Grand Final – as it happened!|work=The Guardian|date=8 October 2016|accessdate=6 November 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/37550948|title=Super League Grand Final: Warrington Wolves 6-12 Wigan Warriors|date=2016-10-08|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-01-19|language=en-GB}}
== 2017 ==
With McIlorum still out injured, Powell started the season at hooker and played his 100th game for the Wigan club in the 22-6 World Club Challenge victory over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby-league/wigan-warriors/powell-prepares-for-a-special-milestone-1-8393363|title=Powell prepares for a special milestone|website=wigantoday.net|language=en|access-date=2018-01-19}} McIlorum returned in the Good Friday derby against St. Helens but Powell kept his place in the team making 31 appearances in all competitions scoring twice and kicking 6 goals.
He played in the 2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/challenge-cup-final-live-score-11054626|title=Hull FC 18-14 Wigan recap as the Black and Whites claim back-to-back Challenge Cup triumphs|work=Mirror|date=26 August 2017|accessdate=6 November 2019}}
== 2018 ==
The departure of McIlorum meant that Thomas Leuluai was handed the number 9 shirt with Powell moving to the number 7.
He played in the 2018 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/oct/13/super-league-grand-final-2018-wigan-warriors-v-warrington-wolves-live?page=with:block-5bc1ff43e4b05798be94cc63#liveblog-navigation|title=Super League Grand Final 2018: Wigan 12-4 Warrington – as it happened|work=The Guardian|date=13 October 2018|accessdate=5 November 2019}}
==2019==
Powell played 25 games for Wigan in 2019 as they suffered a shock semi-final loss against Salford.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-salford/52328/|title=Salford seal maiden Super League Grand Final appearance|publisher=Sky Sports}}
==2020==
Powell played in the 2020 Super League Grand Final which Wigan lost 8–4 against St Helens.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/55072997/|title=Super League Grand Final: Wigan 4-8 St Helens|publisher=BBC}}
==2021, 2022 & 2023==
Powell played 23 matches for Wigan in the 2021 Super League season as the club reached the playoffs but were eliminated by Leeds. The following season, Powell played in Wigan's upset semi-final loss against Leeds scoring the only try of the match. On 14 October 2023, Powell played in Wigan's 2023 Super League Grand Final victory over the Catalans Dragons.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/14/catalans-dragons-wigan-super-league-grand-final-rugby-league-match-report/|title=Wigan Warriors crowned Super League champions after downing Dragons|website=The Guardian}}
On 10 November 2023 it was reported that he had signed for Warrington in the Super League on a two-year deal.{{cite web|publisher=Love Rugby League|date=10 November 2023|title=Sam Powell: Warrington Wolves move confirmed with Wigan Warriors hooker becoming Sam Burgess' eighth addition|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sam-powell-warrington-wolves-move-confirmed-with-wigan-warriors-hooker-becoming-sam-burgess-eighth-addition}}
=2024=
On 8 June, Powell played in Warrington's 2024 Challenge Cup final defeat against Wigan.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c2jj1x7m71zo/|title=Wigan beat Warrington to win Challenge Cup|publisher=BBC}}
=2025=
On 7 June, Powell played in Warrington's 8-6 Challenge Cup final loss against Hull Kingston Rovers.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0gnqllpxlo/|title=In pictures: Hull KR Challenge Cup victory parade|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}
International career
In July 2018 he was selected in the England Knights Performance squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ten-new-additions-in-england-knights-squad/|title=Ten new additions in England Knights squad|publisher=loverugbyleague|date=24 July 2018|accessdate=31 October 2019}} Later that year he was selected for the England Knights on their tour of Papua New Guinea. He played against Papua New Guinea at the Lae Football Stadium{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-scores/papua-new-guinea-v-england-knights-international-2018/718006#lineup|title=Papua New Guinea vs England Knights|publisher=WWOS|date=27 October 2018|accessdate=30 October 2019}} and the Oil Search National Football Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-scores/papua-new-guinea-v-england-knights-international-2018/718007#lineup|title=Papua New Guinea v England Knights|publisher=WWOS|date=3 November 2018|accessdate=30 October 2019}}
In 2019 he was selected for the England Knights against Jamaica at Headingley Rugby Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-scores/england-knights-v-jamaica-international-2019/719012#lineup|title=England Knights vs Jamaica|publisher=WWOS|date=20 October 2019|accessdate=30 October 2019}}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Club !Season !Apps !Tries !Goals !F/G !Points |
| rowspan="12" |{{leagueicon|wigan|16}} Wigan Warriors
|2012 | align=right|1 | align=right|1 | align=right| - | align=right| - | align=right|4 |
| 2013
| align=right|16 | align=right|3 | align=right| - | align=right|2 | align=right|14 |
| 2014
| align=right|22 | align=right|3 | align=right| - | align=right| - | align=right|12 |
| 2015
| align=right|23 | align=right|1 | align=right| - | align=right| - | align=right|4 |
| 2016
| align=right|36 | align=right|7 | align=right|1 | align=right| - | align=right|30 |
| 2017
| align=right|31 | align=right|2 | align=right|6 | align=right| - | align=right|20 |
| 2018
| align=right|33 | align=right|2 | align=right|4 | align=right| - | align=right|16 |
| 2019
| align=right| | align=right| | align=right| | align=right| - | align=right| |
| 2020
| align=right| | align=right| | align=right| | align=right| - | align=right| |
| 2021
| align=right| | align=right| | align=right| | align=right| - | align=right| |
| 2022
| align=right| | align=right| | align=right| | align=right| - | align=right| |
| 2023
| align=right| | align=right| | align=right| | align=right| - | align=right| |
| colspan="2" | Total
| align=right|162 | align=right|19 | align=right|11 | align=right|2 | align=right|100 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.wiganwarriors.com/teams/first-team/sam-powell Wigan Warriors profile]
- [https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/32/sam-powell SL profile]
{{Warrington Wolves squad}}
{{Wigan Warriors squad - 2016 Super League champions}}
{{Wigan Warriors - 2017 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{Wigan Warriors - 2018 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Powell, Sam}}
Category:21st-century English sportsmen
Category:England Knights national rugby league team players
Category:English rugby league players
Category:Rugby league five-eighths
Category:Rugby league halfbacks
Category:Rugby league players from Wigan
Category:South Wales Scorpions players
Category:Warrington Wolves players