Fatherhood helped Jake Wardle deal with his emotions and he’s now ready to deliver for new club Wigan after a “wasted year” of frustration.
The exciting centre can’t wait to get going in 2023 following a bizarre campaign. Returning from a lengthy ankle injury, he failed to make Huddersfield’s Challenge Cup final side against Wigan in May but enjoyed a try-scoring England debut against the Combined Nations All Stars the following month. Nevertheless, barely a week after that, Wardle was surprisingly shipped out on loan to Warrington with fellow centre Toby King moving the other way.
He was left facing a relegation scrap with woeful Wolves and unsure whether he’d stay there or return to Huddersfield next term. But then Wardle secured a shock switch to mighty Wigan on a three-year deal in October. Undoubtedly one of Super League’s most naturally talented three-quarters, he’s now 24 and realises he must start delivering consistently on his rich promise.
