
Wigan Warriors recruit George Hirst has opened up on his first few months as a Super League player. Hirst made the move to Wigan from Championship new boys Oldham, having starred for the club last season as Sean Long’s side romped to promotion.
The forward has penned a two-year deal at the Brick Community Stadium and while he is expected to return to Boundary Park on loan this year, he has spent the winter working under the guidance of Matt Peet at Wigan.
This pre-season has been Hirst’s first as a full-time professional with the 23-year-old representing Almondbury Spartans and Dewsbury Moor before being spotted by the Roughyeds and while he has relished the experience, it has been something of an eye-opener for him.
“It’s been good so far,” he told Wigan Warriors’ official website. “It’s been tough, but I’m definitely enjoying it.
He added: “There’s detail in everything you do. Everything’s nailed down, any questions you have are always answered, anything you need from anyone – they’re always there.
“I’ve learnt a lot so far from Matt, Sean [O’Loughlin] and Thomas [Leuluai] and there’s a lot still to learn, but it’s all been good.
“The lads have welcomed me really well and I’m getting along with all of them. With the coaches too, any questions I have I can ask them, they always tip me up on stuff and they’ve been really helpful.”
As part of the deal that took Hirst to Wigan, the Warriors will travel to Oldham for a friendly clash on January 19, with a select Cherry and Whites outfit set to take on the second tier side. Hirst will be desperate to be involved against the Roughyeds and he’s doing all he can to secure the opportunity.
“Obviously I don’t know if I’ll be playing yet,” he said. “It’s down to me to train well and hopefully get picked.
“I just want to expand on last year and get the core stuff right – getting up well, not missing tackles, carrying hard – doing that all better this year.”
