Powell says Wasps move is best decision
London Wasps' Andy Powell says his decision to join the club from Cardiff is the best decision he has ever made.
Powell signed for Wasps earlier in the summer following much speculation over whether he would leave Cardiff or sign a new contract and stay in Wales. In the end, Powell has snubbed his former team to join Wasps and hasn't looked back.
Powell says the move has given him a new lease on life and the energy to try and make sure that he remains a regular in for Wasps for the next few seasons.
A new start
Powell arrived at Wasps with a big reputation. Cardiff fought to try and keep him, and there was a great deal of publicity in the press in regards to the club that Powell would potentially join. Wasps tried equally hard to sign him, making him feel highly valued. Plus, a new club means a new start. Powell is not likely to have known many people, if anyone, at his new club before joining. This translates to no mental baggage between the player and the club, allowing Powell to start again.
Wasps has formed a team around their new number eight, indicating that Wasps is playing to Powell's strengths. At Cardiff, he was asked to play out of position occasionally, but he's always said that number eight is where he's best.
Powell said, "It is like I am 20 again. I am feeling refreshed. I wouldn't say I needed a complete change of scenery, but I probably got a little bit stale in Cardiff. I want to play now. These first six or seven weeks have been good, and I can see it being a good year for myself and the club. I would love to stay here."
Wales chances
There are a small group within the rugby community that have suggested Powell's decision to leave Wales could risk his future in the Welsh national side. But Powell has joined a much higher quality league in the Premiership, so ultimately, he should benefit.
This isn’t the first case of a player leaving to go and play domestic rugby in another country. There are many Welsh players playing in England, Scotland, Ireland and France who have all managed to maintain or start international careers.
Powell added, "I just need to be pushed as a player, challenged, and I think coming to Wasps, with the personnel they have got here, I am always going to have that. It is probably the best move I have made in my life. I am ready to go again, and there are better things to come from me."
Betting advice
Powell adds a lot of size and power to the Wasps team, which makes them much more difficult to break down and score against. He is a very happy and ambitious player who seems intent on making sure that he has a good season for both club and country.
Powell will have more chances to score when he plays at number eight then he will have when he is pushed back into defence. However, it doesn't seem like the Wasps will ask him to play out of position. Have a punt on him scoring in any game, but don't depend on him to be top scorer at the club or in the league by the end of the season.
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