Wigan Warriors head coach has cleared up any fears about full-back Jai Field being ruled out long-term after the Australian was not named to face Warrington Wolves.
The Warriors have been badly hit by injuries of late with both Junior Nsemba and Jack Farrimond suffering hamstring injuries at Super League Magic Weekend, with Farrimond potentially out for up to three months and therefore the remainder of the season.
Rumours began swirling throughout the day on Friday that Wigan would be without full-back Field for tonight’s game against Warrington and when team news came, those rumours proved true as youngster Josh Cartwright was named in his place for the Warriors.
That of course led to the next big question of how long would Wigan be without Field for and their head coach Matt Peet has now answered, sharing a positive update that Warriors’ fans will be glad to hear.
“It’s not so much his hamstring but his lower back.”Peet confirmed when speaking pre-match on Sky Sports, before noting that because Wigan had played on Sunday and were being asked to play on Friday, the club opted against risking the Australian.
He added: “I think with the short turnaround, if the game was a bit later in the weekend, then he’d have been fine but the call was made this morning.”
Josh Cartwright takes his place but he’s not the only youngster to get a call up as George O’Loughlin starts in the centres, replacing Adam Keighran who moves into the halves. Meanwhile, Austin Daniel takes his place on the wing after Nathan Lowe was stretchered off at Magic Weekend.
Lukas Mason also starts in the second row following the injury to Nsemba whilst Kian McDermott returns his starting spot at prop.
Wigan Warriors XIII: Josh Cartwright, Austin Daniel, Jake Wardle, George O’Loughlin, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Kian McDermott, Lukas Mason, Oliver Partington, Kaide Ellis
Interchanges: Taylor Kerr, Patrick Mago, Luke Thompson, Shea O’Connor
