Jai Field ‘as good as I’ve seen him’ as Wigan Warriors boss hails in-form trio

Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet believes Jai Field is playing the best rugby he has seen from the Australian fullback after overcoming a challenging start to the season.

Field missed a chunk of the campaign earlier this year after undergoing surgery to have his appendix removed, but the 28-year-old has been in sensational form since returning to full fitness.

The Forbes-born speedster has been instrumental in recent months, producing a string of outstanding displays as the Warriors have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions.

Peet admits even he underestimated the impact Field’s appendicitis and surgery had on his body, but says the fullback is now reaping the rewards of his hard work.

“I think he’s been as good as I’ve seen him,” Peet said.

“It was probably, even by me, underestimated what his body had been through and his return to fitness.

“We threw him in that game on Good Friday and rightly so, but the form he is in at the moment is a credit to him and his hard work.

“He’s got speed and ability, but his intelligence and his game anticipation, I think, are what get him in so many great positions for the team.”

Field is not the only player to have caught the eye in recent weeks, with young back Noah Hodkinson continuing to impress during Liam Marshall’s absence through injury.

The 20-year-old has scored 12 tries in 10 first-team appearances since making his debut in March and has adapted superbly to life on the wing despite being a natural fullback.

“I’m delighted with him and for him,” Peet said.

“He is working very hard, he is very level-headed, so he is just focused on trying to learn and trying to get better, but taking stock, I think he is doing great.

“It was a bit of a leap of faith to try him there, but he’s embraced it, and he’s got some abilities from playing fullback from his junior days, which stand him in good stead.

“He’s good at dealing with kicks, his positional play is excellent and he has always been very elusive, agile and quick, so he’s got some improvement in him, but he’s doing well.”

England international Jake Wardle has also enjoyed a strong run of form since returning from a lengthy knee injury earlier in the season.

The 27-year-old centre has formed an effective partnership with Hodkinson on Wigan’s left edge and has been one of Wigan’s standout performers during their recent run of results.

“He is in good form,” Peet said. “He looks fast, quick and fit, so the games we’ve been in, he’s had plenty of chance to showcase himself, which, whenever we get the ball to Jake, he has a habit of making things happen.

“I’m happy with his form. Jake is quite self-critical, so he is always trying to take his game to the next level, but he is in a good place at the moment.”