As the new Super League season draws ever nearer, most teams have released their 2022 squad numbers with a few surprises being unveiled across the league shedding some light on how coaches view their strongest 17 going into the new campaign.
So, with that in mind, we’re looking at six of the most surprising squad numbers handed to Super League stars this winter as clubs prepare for the 2022 season.
Will Pryce – number 1
To be in the first 20 or even 30 squad numbers before the age of 20 takes talent but to feature in the first 13 squad numbers demonstrates a once in a generation level of raw talent which Will Pryce seems to possess. Having worn 32 last year playing predominately in the halves, Pryce is set to star at fullback for Huddersfield next season taking on the number one shirt previously worn by the likes of Man of Steel winner Brett Hodgson. Fullback is such a key position, so Pryce being awarded this jersey at 18 is quite surprising but a symbol of the early promise he’s shown. This is made all the more apparent by the fact Ashton Golding, an accomplished fullback, has vacated the jersey to take on the number five shirt.
Jai Field – number 23
An exciting attacking talent, both Leeds and Wigan pursued the versatile Jai Field before he eventually signed on at the DW Stadium going into 2021 being awarded the number six shirt. Seen as one of the most exciting signings going into last season, Field was tipped to enhance the Warriors’ attack however injury stopped him from having any real impact last season and has seen him massively demoted in terms of squad numbers. With Cade Cust coming into the club and taking on the number six shirt, Field has moved to the number 23 jersey behind the likes of Harry Smith at 16. Having been such a major acquisition last season this move is quite the shock but gives Field something to prove in 2022.
Konrad Hurrell – number 23
The 23 shirt at St Helens is also the home of a former NRL star in the shape of Konrad Hurrell. One of Kristian Woolf’s new signings and a two-time member of the Super League Dream Team during his time at Leeds, the former Rhinos number four can count himself unlucky to have been beaten by Will Hopoate for the number three shirt vacated by Kevin Naiqama as he returns to Australia. However, making his number 23 shirt all the more surprising is the fact that the likes of Josh Simm and Ben Davies feature ahead of him in the squad numbers at 21 and 22 respectively with the Challenge Cup winner not even included in St Helens’ first 20 squad numbers.
Jack Hughes – number 13
Having worn the number 12 shirt at Warrington since joining the club in 2016, it was quite surprising seeing the Warrington skipper move to the number 13 shirt demonstrating a change of position. Under new coach Daryl Powell, Hughes seems set to move from the second-row to loose-forward in 2022 with new signing Oliver Holmes taking on the 12 jersey. This isn’t the only surprising shift in the Warrington squad with former number 13 Joe Philbin switching to 8 whilst Josh Charnley has swapped wing numbers going from 5 to 2 whilst Gareth Widdop has vacated the 7 shirt to take on the number 6 jersey instead.
David Fifita – number 35
When Wakefield revealed their squad numbers one at a time on Twitter, there was surprise and a touch of worry when David Fifita wasn’t given the number 8 shirt with Eddie Battye instead taking on the jersey. However, it was later revealed that Fifita would be returning to the very first shirt number he wore at Wakefield number 35.
Isn’t 8 Fiffita’s number?
— Revolutionary Rugby League (@Revolut77650565) November 24, 2021
When you mean that completes the 30 is that our squad. Did I miss David fifita ?
— CRAIG MARTIN (@CRAIGMARTIN16) November 24, 2021
Scott Taylor – number 30
A similar philosophy was adopted by Hull FC’s Scott Taylor. Having worn the number 8 shirt for years, he chose the very first number he wore when he made his professional debut in 2009 and elected to wear the number 30 shirt in a similar move to the one undertaken by Jamie Shaul last year when he returned to the number 29.
