Olly Russell didn’t mind changing his Christmas routine – because it means he’s up and running with new club Wakefield.
After his big move from Huddersfield, the scrum-half makes his Trinity debut in their festive friendly with Leeds. Super League doesn’t kick-off until mid-February but Rhinos are one of the few clubs who traditionally stage a game on Boxing Day.
Ahead of the Headingley showdown, Russell admitted: “I’m not sure what it’s going to be like. It’s a new thing for me. I’ve never done it before as we didn’t do it at Giants.
“But I don’t really mind. I don’t drink loads on Christmas Day anyway. So the not drinking part of it’s fine. Obviously I’m not able to eat as much – but I’m looking forward to playing for Wakey for the first time. Leeds are putting a strong side out and it’ll be good for us to see where we’re at.”
Russell hopes to make his mark with Daryl Powell’s team on their return to Super League. He has joined along with ex-Castleford half-back Jake Trueman, who linked up with Trinity from Hull. Russell, 26, played more than 100 games for Huddersfield, where he’d spent his entire career, but wasn’t always a regular under previous boss Ian Watson.
He did have a good run under Luke Robinson after Watson was sacked in July. But Russell, who played in the 2022 Challenge Cup final for Huddersfield, admitted: “I feel like it was my time to have a bit of change. It was frustrating at times – I didn’t play for about ten weeks.
With me moving on as well, I don’t think I got the best shot possible. But I’m glad I finished off there on a good note playing with some of my best mates like Matty English and Ash Golding.
“And I just want to get a full year now, playing week in week out with Wakefield. You do your best learning when doing your job. I’ll learn more by doing that. And hopefully I get to show that against Leeds.”
Russell has signed a four-year deal with promoted Trinity who are favourites to finish bottom, despite also signing England duo Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken from Catalans. He said: “I don’t think there’s any pressure on us which can be a good thing.
Olly Russell after winning player of the match for Huddersfield in their 2022 Challenge Cup tie at Barrow
“We are favourites to finish last but that’s all good by us: we can prove a lot of people wrong. I really feel we can push for that top-six. It’s a big project here and it won’t happen overnight. But I’m excited by it.”
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