Wigan Warriors star Jake Wardle details Noah Hodkinson partnership - 'He has really stepped up'

Wigan Warriors star Jake Wardle has hailed the impact of youngster Noah Hodkinson after the academy graduate’s impressive start to life in Super League.

Homegrown talent Hodkinson has scored 12 tries in 10 first-team appearances since making his Warriors debut in March and has impressed on the left wing despite the position not being his natural role.

Primarily a fullback, the 20-year-old has filled the void left by injured winger Liam Marshall in recent weeks and has formed a promising partnership with England international Wardle on Wigan’s left edge.

Wardle has been full of praise for the youngster’s contribution and the way he has adapted to life at the senior level.

“He’s been really good,” Wardle said.

“Obviously, he has really stepped up for a young kid, who is probably playing out of position as well. I think he is naturally a fullback, but he has been really good.

“I’ve been trying to help him as much as I can with the little fine details of the game, but overall, I’ve just got to let him do his thing and back what he’s doing, because he has been doing a really good job for us.

“He is still only young, so he has still got a lot of learning and improvement in him, but the way he has stepped up and some of the things he did in that Saints game were special - they were game changers, and he has definitely made my job a bit easier at times with some of his carries.

“For me, to carry on the back of him, I’ve just got to show a bit of maturity and take the hard yards, and I just need to keep speaking to him, and hopefully he can keep developing.”

Wardle and Marshall have built a strong understanding over a number of seasons, but the experienced centre says communication has been key in helping Hodkinson settle into the role.

“I think it’s just talk mainly,” he said.

“Me and Marshy have probably built a good connection over the years, so probably some things we don’t have to say, we kind of just do it, but with Noah being there and probably being out of his natural position, that’s where I’ve had to step up a bit and try to communicate better with him and I think everyone on the left edge has been similar.

“Noah has done a fantastic job, and hopefully he can continue doing that.”

Hodkinson is one of several young players to make a positive impact for Wigan this season, with the likes of Jack Farrimond, George Marsden, Taylor Kerr and Kian McDermott also earning more opportunities in the first-team.

Wardle says the latest crop of youngsters continuing to make the step up comes as no surprise given the club’s long-standing reputation for producing talent.

“I wouldn’t say you get surprised, to be honest,” he added.

“It’s what Wigan are about, isn’t it? They’ve always brought good young kids through and we’ve got some great young lads coming through at the minute.

“You forget that Junior (Nsemba) is only 21, Zach (Eckersley) is 22, and they’ve got more experience now, but people like George Marsden, who has come in and stepped into that role and done a great job, so I’m not surprised... There is a good foundation here at the club and everyone just buys in from top to bottom.”