Jake Wardle reveals how long-term relationship helped lead to Wigan Warriors move

Yesterday Wigan added a second centre to their recruitment for 2023.

It has been a problem position for the Warriors in 2022 with Zak Hardaker leaving mid-way through the season to Leeds and Iain Thornley suffering a number injuries.

This led to second-rowers Willie Isa and Kai Pearce-Paul playing a lot at centre whilst the only other real option there, Jake Bibby, has gone to Huddersfield.

This made it all the more important to sign a couple of centres and they went to the Giants to get their centres in Toby King and Jake Wardle who will join the Warriors together ironically after the two were part of a loan swap deal between Huddersfield and Warrington which didn’t lead to permanent moves for both due to the two clubs having different wants from the situation which has played into the hands of Wigan who have signed both.

They have had to allow two young players in Jack Bibby and Sam Halsall join the Giants but they’ll be pleased to have Wardle in 2023 and he’s spoken about the move on the club website: “It’s all happened pretty quickly. I want to take the opportunity with both hands. One of the main reasons for coming was Matty Peet who has known me since I was 16.

“The Club speaks for itself – I want to bring some more success to the Club and win trophies.

“The facilities are unbelievable and first class. I can’t wait to get stuck in and bring what I can to the team.”

💬 "As soon as I got the opportunity to come I wanted to take it with both hands."

Watch more of Jake Wardle's first interview with Wigan TV 👉 https://t.co/X3BrP98qW7#WWRL pic.twitter.com/fQn746dJ8m

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) October 9, 2022

He would go onto elaborate on this on Wigan TV confirming that Matt Peet, who he has had a long relationship with since he was 16, played a key role in tempting him:

“I’ve been training for England, as soon as I got the opportunity to come I wanted to take it with both hands.

“One of the big reasons was Matty Peet, I’ve had a long relationship with him.”