Anthony Gelling: Wigan did want to sign me

Warrington centre Anthony Gelling says Wigan did want to sign him, despite the Warriors’ claims that they didn’t.

Chairman Ian Lenagan hit back at claims by Warrington chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick that the Cook Islands international had turned down a move to his former club to sign at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Gelling, 29, also said he would rather be talked about for providing the x-factor on the pitch rather than off it – as well as saying he is interested in a career in media and marketing when he hangs up his boots.

Speaking at the Super League media launch, Gelling said: “Everybody’s tried to sign me! Like Fitzy (Karl Fitzpatrick) said, rejection can end in denial sometimes. It is what it is.

“We had a conversation, there was no formal offers, but there was a conversation.

“I was looking for a new challenge, and though I had a really good time at Wigan, I didn’t want to write a new chapter at the same place.

“I’d rather them be talking about X-Factor on the field.”

Gelling played for Wigan from 2012 to 2017, before returning home to sign for New Zealand Warriors, playing seven times in the NRL.

He spent 2019 in the Championship with Widnes.