Chris Sandow to feel benefits of joining Warrington Wolves this year, says Tony Smith

The Australian half back has featured in losses to Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers since his arrival but has penned a deal until the end of the 2017 season.

And Smith insists throwing the 26-year-old into Super League action was a risk well worth taking.

“I would say we haven’t been on fire in that sort of region this year, so it was well worth the risk,” said Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby.

“To bring Chris in at this stage is going to help him enormously for next season as well.

“We had some hope and may still have some hope depending on our results (off a play-offs place), so is it worth the risk? It’s absolutely worth the risk.

“It doesn’t mean everything turns out every time you take a chance on something, no way. You still take a chance, particularly if you think it’s going to brighten your future.

“I know him coming at this stage is going to be enormous. You bring an Aussie over in the middle of winter and tell them to do some conditioning before the season when they’re used to weather a bit brighter than what we’ve got in the middle of November.

“It’s a nice time to come and see what this country is like, it helps people settle – I can guarantee it.”

Sandow lined up alongside Catalans-bound Richie Myler in the loss to Castleford last night, and Smith admits it takes time for half back partnerships to form.

“Combinations are still young between two new half backs again, at the moment they’re still coming together,” he added.

“For that to all gel it takes time. You would hope it would be over night sensations of combinations; it’s hard to do that.

“People are still getting to know one another – we lacked potency, we had a game plan and at times it was tough to tell what our game plan was and we’ve been practising that really well this week.”