Chance to head back to his RL roots too good to turn down
LUTHER BURRELL could challenge Josh Charnley for his place in the Warrington team when he makes his cross-code move at the end of the current Premiership season.
The Rugby Paper understands that Wolves coach Steve Price sees the former England international as a potential winger, believing that his height – Burrell stands 6ft 3ins – will make him a real asset in a game where crossfield aerial bombs are commonplace.
Given Charnley’s quite brilliant transition back to League following his shortlived stint in Union with Sale, the probability is that Burrell will be competing with Tom Lineham for the other flank spot if Price’s hunch proves right.Failing that, Burrell will cover centre, his position in Union, or back row, essentially a wide-running forward in the 13-man game.
Wherever he plays, Burrell, now 31, knows he has a challenge on his hands. The 15-cap international follows Gareth Thomas (Celtic Crusaders) and Andy Powell (Wigan) as the only players to have swapped Union for League in recent times.
For Burrell, a Premiership winner with Northampton, it feels like he is coming home.
“My background is predominantly in Rugby League as I grew up in the north, in Huddersfield, surrounded by the sport and playing it at school,” he said.
“It’s never really left my blood; I guess my aim was always to try my hand at it one day and I’m buzzing to get involved with Rugby League and the Super League.”
In truth, Burrell’s career has stalled since he was controversially overlooked by Stuart Lancaster for the 2015 World Cup, his former Leeds boss opting to select Sam Burgess instead.
“I’m excited about the challenge ahead as it’s fresh for me. I’ve had some great times in Rugby Union, and I’ve had some adverse times, so for me to have this opportunity to play Rugby League and see how far I can get with a great team is exciting.”
Burrell, who will join last year’s Super League finalists at the end of Saints’ season, revealed he’d spoken to Charnley before taking the plunge.
“I know Josh Charnley from his time in Union and I’ve been spoken to him; his message was about how great the club is and from the outside you can see it has aspirations,” he said. Warrington are regulars on the big stage, having played in five Challenge Cup finals and four Grand Finals in the last decade. But while they have won at Wembley, success has painstakingly eluded them in Super League’s showpiece event.
If Burrell proves to be the difference and helps to get them over the line, he’ll still be a saint in Warrington’s fans eyes.
“I know I will need to earn the trust of my teammates first and foremost,” he said.
“I also hope to bring some physicality, that edge and the ability to break the line. I’ve had the opportunity to play for England in Union and to play on some of the biggest stages in finals. I’d like to think I can transfer the experience I have gained into Rugby League. I’m not here to make up the numbers, I’m coming over and I mean business.”