Wigan Warriors' Josh Cartwright recalls 'rollercoaster' day after breakfast phone call - 'I was buzzing'

Wigan Warriors youngster Josh Cartwright has revealed how he was eating breakfast with his dad when he received the phone call that changed his day.

The 20-year-old had initially been told it was unlikely he would feature against Warrington Wolves on Friday night, only for head coach Matt Peet to ring him on the morning of the game and inform him that he would be starting at fullback following a minor back injury to Jai Field.

Cartwright went on to seize his opportunity in style, producing a Player of the Match performance in Wigan’s 30-18 victory, scoring his first senior try and producing a crucial try-saving tackle on Warrington’s Ewan Irwin.

“Our head of performance Bentos (Ian Bentley) rang me the day before and said ‘it’s not looking like you’re playing, but just prepare like you were’,” Cartwright told Wigan Today.

“I just went through what I normally do, and I was eating breakfast, me and my dad were just chatting, and he went ‘It’s not looking like you’re going to play, is it?’ and as soon as I said ‘nah’, the phone rang, and it was Matty.

“First, I was thinking ‘what’ve I done wrong here?!’ so I answered the phone, then he was like ‘hiya mate, you’re going to be playing tonight, starting at fullback’, and I was just like ‘yeah, alright!’”

Cartwright admitted he did not expect the opportunity to arise.

“I didn’t think it would happen,” he smiled. “Jai is as tough as anything, so I just thought he was going to play, so as soon as Matty told me, my heart sank, and I was buzzing.

“It was a rollercoaster, so I just had to get in the right headspace for it. I know how good a side Warrington are and despite their injuries, they’re still a great side, so I just had to snap into it and get ready for the game.”

Although naturally a winger, Cartwright has enjoyed a new challenge at fullback this season.

“To be honest, I don’t know, this is my first year doing it,” he said when asked about his preferred position. “With Noah (Hodkinson) killing it and playing first-team, it’s given me the opportunity to play fullback for the reserves, and I’ve really enjoyed it there.

“Normally I play wing, and I’ve played a bit of centre too, so to be honest, I don’t know where I play yet!”

With the call-up coming at such short notice, Cartwright had little time to inform family and friends, but around 15 people still made it to the Brick Community Stadium to witness his memorable evening.

“It was last-minute so I was texting everyone saying ‘if you want to come, you can come’,” he said.

“I saw my mum, my dad, my brother, my auntie, my little cousin, my other auntie and my two other cousins.

“There were about 10 of them, and then I had other mates in the stands, so I reckon about 15 of them.”

One of the defining moments of the game came in the second half when Cartwright denied Irwin what looked to be a certain try.

“I was blowing, I didn’t know what was going to happen!” he laughed.

“I just saw him come through, Duffs (John Duffy, reserves head coach) has always said to me if I’m there in that situation, to go for the ball first. I just saw him come through and thought ‘I need to get hold of that ball’.

“To be fair, I thought he’d scored because I had him there for a bit, but then he turned over. Watching it back, I did alright, I just went straight for the ball.”

Cartwright also admitted the Warriors’ victory felt extra special given the number of young homegrown players involved.

“Ever since we started coming through in that age group, we’ve always had Duffs as our head coach, and he’s just driven that we need to be best mates because that’s what will help you in games,” he added.

“We’re all dead close tight, all best mates, so to go out there and play with them, and some of the young lads to score their first tries for Wigan, it’s really special and we’re all buzzing.”