Wigan Warriors star Jai Field given deserved individual award

Wigan full-back Jai Field has been chosen as player of the year by the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association.

Field, who is on the three-man short-list for Betfred Super League’s Steve Prescott Man of Steel award, polled 61 per cent of the votes of association members to win the Raymond Fletcher Trophy – named in memory of the former Yorkshire Post correspondent and leading statistician.

Runner-up with 22 per cent of the votes was Salford stand-off Brodie Croft, who is also in the running to be crowned Man of Steel, while other votes were cast for Wigan’s Bevan French and Huddersfield’s Tui Lolohea.

Field missed most of the 2021 season through injury but made up for lost time this year, scoring 20 tries and providing 24 assists to help the Warriors to second place in Super League. He also registered the highest recorded speed of any player in Super League, clocking 36.1 km an hour against Hull KR.

Field was also instrumental in Wigan’s Betfred Challenge Cup triumph at Tottenham in May.

RLWBA chairman Trevor Hunt said: “It is always difficult for our members to single out players for this award, especially with so many genuine top-quality athletes as contenders.

“But Jai’s amazing battle back to fitness only adds to an incredible story of courage, resilience and fortitude that has seen him take Super League by storm with an incredible display not only of speed but superb skills to give him an edge over his challengers.

“He is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the RLWBA player of the year award.”

Field will be hoping to help guide Wigan to the Grand Final with a home fixture against the Leeds Rhinos this Friday night set to be reveal the first name on the Old Trafford turf with St Helens and Salford Red Devils playing Saturday.