Moving to the NRL would see Brad O’Neill fulfil a dream but he has no intention of leaving Wigan Warriors at the moment. O’Neill penned a new five-year deal with the Warriors last month and in doing so, committed his long-term future to the club where his career began.
The deal came as he continues his return from the serious knee injury he picked up in July with the hooker set to miss the start of the new Super League season at least. However, his contract also put an end to any fears the club could lose the 22-year-old to the NRL in the near future.
O’Neill admits he would love to test himself down under, but leaving Wigan, who are fresh off the back of a quadruple winning campaign, is certainly not on the agenda and isn’t likely to be any time soon.
“Wigan has been my home since I was 14,” he told Yorkshire Live. “I’ve done two ACLs here and they’ve always stuck by me. The way I feel, it’s like home.
“The NRL has always been a dream of mine but at the same time, why would you want to leave Wigan at this moment in time? The culture here, the fact we’re winning trophies is a bonus but the place—we have the best facilities in my opinion, the best coaching in my opinion, and just good people all around. So this is where I want to be and I’m looking forward to being here for the coming years.
“It’s something I’m sure you’ve heard a lot but everyone wants to stay and it shows how good a place it is. I can see why other players want to stay and sign long-term deals. It’s about the people in the place and off the back of that we’re playing good rugby and winning silverware.”
O’Neill emerged through the youth ranks at the Brick Community Stadium to make his debut for the club in June 2021. He has gone on to make 68 appearances for Wigan Warriors with five tries coming along the way, having nailed down the number one hooker spot at the club over the last two seasons.
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