Pre-Match Interview | Joe Brown | Warrington Wolves (A)
03/02/2026
By Spencer Arnold
Winger Joe Brown is hoping the Eagles can give their all against Warrington Wolves on Friday evening as the two sides prepare to clash in the Betfred Challenge Cup 3rd Round.
The former York Knights man has made an immediate impact since joining the Eagles on a two-year deal in the off-season.
After scoring his first competitive try for the club last weekend against Whitehaven, Brown is eager for the team to enjoy themselves against their Betfred Super League opponents.
“We’ll be expecting a tough physical game this Friday, a very fast game”, said Brown.
“They've got quality world class players all over the pitch, so we know the type of challenge we are going to be up against, and it’s a great opportunity for us to go and give everything that we’ve got.
“We know they've got strike players that can cause us some problems if we’re not one hundred percent on it, so we’ll have a good look at them in video this week.
“I think they’ll go full strength against us as their Super League season starts not long after, but it's a game we’re looking forward to. These are games you want to be playing in as a player, against some of the best players, and we can’t wait for it.”
This Friday’s tie was set up after the Eagles came from behind to see off Whitehaven in the 2nd Round over a week ago at the Steel City Stadium.
That Challenge Cup victory over Whitehaven came on the back of a hard-fought Championship opener against the same side the previous weekend, and Brown has enjoyed playing a part in the opening few games of the season in his new club colours.
Reflecting on his try and the challenge posed by Whitehaven across both fixtures, he said, “It was a nice feeling to score last week. It was probably just what we needed as a team before half time to get a try.
“I think it was a good game physically, credit to Whitehaven in both games, they really brought it to us, and we probably didn’t bring the best versions of ourselves.
“It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t pretty, but it doesn't have to be sometimes at the start of the year.
“It's just about getting wins on the board, and if you've got a solid foundation to work off, we should be okay.”
“I’ve really enjoyed my start at Sheffield; it’s been an easy transition. All the boys have been good, and the coaching staff have as well.
“So, I've had a good start so far and I'm looking forward to building on the hard work that we’ve done through pre-season and the start of the season.”
Brown’s experience in the Challenge Cup could prove invaluable this week. During his time at York, he faced the 2025 Super League Grand Final winners Hull Kingston Rovers last season and helped the Knights reach the Quarter Finals of the competition in 2023. In that run, they came up against Leigh Leopards, a game in which Brown scored for the North Yorkshire side. These experiences have given the 27-year-old the opportunity to compete against some of the best players in Super League in recent seasons, and he is relishing another challenge this Friday when they face Warrington.
“They were both good games to play in and a really good experience for myself”, Brown added.
“Hull KR went on to do what they did last year so we know the standard of the best of the best from last year, and Leigh have been up there since they got back into Super League, so it was good for me to test myself against some of the best.
“It's going to be a good test to see where we’re at as players, and as a team. To play against full-time players, players who’ve played a lot of Super League and a lot of NRL, it’s a good chance for us to put into practice what we’ve been working on.
“We’ve had two tough games against Whitehaven, which will stand us in good stead, especially going into this game. It will be a different kind of game, but it's one that we’re very much looking forward to.
“It makes it all the more exciting, us going there on a Friday night, under the lights too, so it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
