Challenge Cup Preview #2 - Jai Field

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In November 2020, Wigan confirmed the signing of Jai Field, fending off interest from Leeds. The expectation turned out to be very different to the reality. Firstly, in a bad way, then in a great way.

Field was given the number 6 jersey for the 2021 season, the expectation being he would replace Tommy Leuluai at half back. With a backline injury crisis, Field made his debut against Leigh as a winger.

A Nightmare 2021...

At the time, the UK remained in lockdown. The Super League season was delayed and Wigan's season opener was played at an empty Headingley. Field went down after 18 minutes and left the field clutching his hamstring. After the match, coach Adrian Lam confirmed Field would miss at least six weeks.

Six weeks turned into almost six months and Field did not appear again for Wigan until early August, this time as a half back in a forgettable win over Salford. For his last two appearances for Wigan in 2021, he was named as a substitute and at full back in abysmal team performances at home against Hull KR and Leeds. Field suffered another injury and was not seen again that year due to a groin injury.

Field described his 2021 difficulties in a press interview. He came to live in a new country. That country was in lockdown. He suffered a serious injury. The support network of family and friends were not there. Field described being left immobile after his surgery. Yet Field was adamant that he did not want to return home. A sign of immense mental fortitude, when nobody could blame Field for doubting whether the move was right for him. 

...To a Dream 2022

Field had the benefit of a full pre season leading into 2022. He is now leading the Man of Steel standings and is a shining light as Wigan's full back. But this was not always destined to be.

He was competing for that spot with 2015 Man of Steel, Zak Hardaker and Bevan French, who enjoyed a stellar 2020 at full back for Wigan (with, admittedly, a difficult 2021). Field got the first shot at full back in Wigan's season opener against Hull KR and hasn't looked back since.

Wigan caught Hull KR off guard in that game with a kick play from a scrum for Field for chase. That excited Rugby League nerds like me, who love seeing set plays from scrums! But also, it gave many of us the first chance to see Field's true pace, as no Hull KR chaser (or even a teammate) was within eyeshot of Field as he tore up the turf to score.

Spectacular try after spectacular try have followed in recent weeks, with major contributions in many fixtures, including a last minute winner against Salford.

It is easy to get lost in Field's pace. To see him as just a runner. But he is more than that. In Wigan's Challenge Cup semi final against St Helens, he made a try saving, one-on-one tackle against Konrad Hurrell, a man who is physically his superior. He not only stopped Hurrell in his tracks as he bore down on the tryline, but forced a knock on. In a game where the sides were separated by two points, a critical contribution.

In recent weeks, we have seen the development of a passing game too. On Saturday, Field will have a chance of winning his first major trophy with Wigan. In those lonely lockdown days of recovery in the spring of 2021, this must have felt a world away.

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