On the eve of the new Betfred Super League season, it was revealed that former Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers star Zak Hardaker who now plies his trade at Leigh Leopards was found guilty of drink driving at Leeds Magistrates.
Hardaker started his career at Featherstone Rovers before joining Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2011 season. He would win back to back Grand Finals at Headingley as well as the Young Player of the Year in 2012.
In 2015, he was the Man of Steel and a treble winner but a year later he was gone first to Penrith Panthers and then to Castleford Tigers. His time at the Jungle ended on a sour note as he was ruled out of the Grand Final against Leeds due to a breach of rules.
He would go on to join Wigan before returning to Leeds mid way through 2022 and helping them to the Grand Final before joining Leigh at the start of 2023 and helping them to win the Challenge Cup.
Unfortunately, Hardaker has had a career when he has gone from saga to saga and unfortunately another emerged before the season with this drink driving charge.
Leigh make big call on Zak Hardaker
Hull KR v Leigh Leopards Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com – 25/08/2023 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 23 – Hull KR v Leigh Leopards – Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull, England – Leigh Leopards Zak Hardaker after the game Hull England
The same day as this came to light, Leigh had named him in their 21-man squad for their season opener against Huddersfield Giants.
They would later issue the following statement: “Leigh Leopards are aware of a drink drive incident involving Zak Hardaker.
“The club was made aware of the situation at the earliest opportunity and has supported Zak since and will continue to do so.
“The club will be making no further comment.”
This seems to indicate that the club plan to stand by Hardaker despite the charge. In light of this, Adrian Lam has made the big decision to play Hardaker with the 32-year-old lining up in the centres as he did last year.
As such that means the Leopards have put out a very strong side for the opening game of the season with their first thirteen on the field.
The club have named all 18 of their shirt numbers 1-18 in the squad, however, number 18 Ben Nakubuwai takes the place of number 17 Owen Trout on the bench.
That means that Trout won’t face his former team tonight in the season opener.
As for Huddersfield, Ian Watson has named a very strong side with a host of new signings starting including Adam Swift, Elliot Wallis, Adam Clune and Jack Murchie.
Leigh Leopards Squad
1 – GARETH O’BRIEN
2 – TOM BRISCOE
3 – ZAK HARDAKER
4 – RICKY LEUTELE
5 – JOSH CHARNLEY
6 – MATT MOYLAN
7 – LACHLAN LAM
8 – TOM AMONE
9 – EDWIN IPAPE
10 – ROBBIE MULHERN
11 – KAI O’DONNELL
12 – JACK HUGHES
13 – JOHN ASIATA
Interchanges
14 – DAN NORMAN
15 – MATT DAVIS
16 – FRANKIE HALTON
18 BEN NAKUBUWAI
Huddersfield Giants Squad
1 – Jake Connor
20 – Elliot Wallis
4 – Kevin Naiqama
3 – Esan Marsters
2 – Adam Swift
23 – Oli Russell
7 – Adam Clune
8 – Chris Hill
9 – Adam Milner
18 – Seb Ikahihifo
11 – Jack Murchie
12 – Sam Hewitt
21 – Leroy Cudjoe
Interchanges
14 – Ash Golding
15 – Matty English
17 – Oliver Wilson
26 – Hugo Salabio
