Super League star claims he was used as a scapegoat by Super League coach

Josh Charnley has had an excellent career for the likes of Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and now the Leigh Leopards where he is tearing teams apart on the left wing, scoring tries for fun and chasing Leeds Rhinos legend and Hull KR assistant coach Danny McGuire’s record for Super League tries.

Charnley has done pretty much everything there is to do in the sport from representing England to scoring in major finals including the Grand Final and the Challenge Cup Final.

But in 2022 he was in a dark place. As Warrington Wolves struggled, he was eventually shone the door in a move that would eventually rekindle his career just the long way round.

“I don’t think I did anything wrong. I was training the house down and there was a new coach, brought a new system in,” Charnley explained on the Out of your League podcast.

“I really enjoyed the way he put the plan to the lads and I think I played six games then I got banned for a trip, it wasn’t a trip but I got banned for it and then ever since he just didn’t see eye to eye with me.

“I don’t know what he’s thought of me, he must have seen something in me that he didn’t like or he just didn’t have in his head that I was the player for him.”

When asked if he was used as a scapegoat at Warrington, Charnley said he believed so: “Possibly, yeah, in my last year as well. So it might have been.

“Yeah like I say I didn’t really do anything wrong, I just didn’t really see eye to eye, that was the biggest thing.

“You’re thinking what have I done? Is it me?  Yeah, I overthink, but I didn’t get an explanation or anything like that.

“It is a bit frustrating, but I enjoyed my time there. It was one of those where I created some memories with the boys and it was good that I got an opportunity to open another door.”