Joe McConnell
Jai Field believes he won’t be looking to return to the NRL anytime soon as he dreams of achieving even more glory with the Wigan Warriors.
The Australian full-back has established himself as a key part of the Warriors side, who have dominated across the board in recent seasons following their move to the Betfred Super League ahead of the 2021 campaign.
Field has since signed two contract extensions with Wigan, the latest until the end of the 2027 season, and is relishing being part of a team that currently holds every available trophy.
“I’m really happy at the moment,” Field said. The bench podcast. “The players they’ve signed, it’s an exciting time to be at the club.
“At the moment, I would say I’m really happy here and I probably don’t try to go home anymore like I used to when I first came here.
“Since I’ve been here I’ve signed two contracts and that says a lot about the club and how much I’ve settled in here.”
Field scored a try for Wigan in last Thursday’s 28-14 win over Huddersfield Giants and is back in the 21-man squad for the rearranged visit of Leigh Leopards in the ‘Battle of the Borough’, live on Vscek Tuesday evening.
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Speaking to Jenna and Jon, Wigan Warriors’ Jai Field says more and more young NRL players are seeing opportunities to play more regularly in Super League.
The 26-year-old has decided to join the Warriors after making just six first division appearances for the Parramatta Eels in 2020, having made just 11 for former club St George Illawarra Dragons between 2017 and 2019.
Both the outfielder and teammate Bevan French followed in the footsteps of former Wigan players Blake Green and Jackson Hastings, who also shone for Salford Red Devils, in moving from Australia to the Super League to further their careers.
It’s a path he says is proving increasingly attractive to NRL players whose opportunities in the first division may be limited by the squad’s more established players.
“It’s becoming a lot more common now, especially for back-row players, because some of the best halfbacks and fullbacks are now walking around in their 30s and 40s,” Field said.
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Interviewed by Jenna and Jon on The Bench, Jai Field opens up about his struggles to recover from the hamstring injury that kept him out of action for Wigan Warriors.
“You can be a young lad with great potential, but you’re stuck behind players and that has to happen at that club for you to be successful.
“People are starting to realise that and Super League clubs are pulling players out of those systems who are still hungry, because that’s the aspiration, to want to come back.
“Obviously it hasn’t happened yet, but I’ve arrived at a big club and a big team.”
Since joining Wigan, Field has been involved in two Challenge Cup triumphs – last year’s Super League Grand Final victory and this year’s victory over Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge.
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Highlights from the Betfred Super League clash between Wigan Warriors and Huddersfield Giants.
He is one of several key players who have committed their future to the club, the latest being winger Liam Marshall, who last week signed a four-year extension.
“It’s an exciting time and the other guys at the club are realizing that too,” Field said.
“Bevan has locked himself in, I’m here, [Jake] Wardle signed, so those players make you weigh it all up: do you want to leave all that and be part of something special, and maybe go back to the first NRL that comes your way?
“You might not get drafted again, you might go in and out of reserve rank again, but if you stay here, you have a chance to do something great.”
Watch Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards go head-to-head in the Battle of the Borough at the Brick Community Stadium, live on Vscek Action from 7.55pm on Tuesday (8pm kick-off). Also stream with NOW.
