Jai Field reveals admiration for ‘outstanding’ St Helens man as derby clash beckons

Fit again Jai Field he will be hoping to help Wigan return to winning ways this weekend in one of rugby league’s biggest rivalries.

On Saturday, the Australian speedster returned to action from an eight-week hamstring injury lay-off as the Warriors fell to a heavy 46-22 defeat to table toppers Catalans Dragons at Magic Weekend.

Whilst it wasn’t the result he was hoping for, Field said he was happy to pull through the game unscathed after playing 80 minutes.

He said: “Body feels really good. I was just more pleased to get through the 80 minutes.

“With hamstrings, you can come back too early and things can go wrong. But the club has done the right thing and we took all the right precautions so it was really pleasing to get through the 80.

“It’s not an ideal game to play in. We were all a bit off and they played a great game. They starved us of the ball, defended really well, had a lot of energy and points were hard to come by. It was disappointing in that aspect but still pleasing to get through the 80 minutes.

“The body pulled up really well and I’m looking forward to getting back out there and turning around a poor performance.”

Jai Field pays compliment to St Helens stalwart ahead of derby clash

Field will aim to help Wigan bounce back in Friday night’s televised fixture when they travel to arch rivals St Helens.

Speaking ahead of the derby, the 25-year-old paid tribute to England international Jonny Lomax, who has been a key player for Saints for more than a decade.

Field said: “He’s an outstanding player.

“He’s been one of this comp’s form players for many years. You can’t count them on one hand anymore.

“I think he’s always a tough ask, very smart and it will be a good challenge playing against him.”

Field can’t get enough of the Wigan-Saints derby, and has even gone as far to say there’s no rivalry in the NRL quite like this one.

He added: “It’s always a big fixture when you play that club when here at Wigan.

“I didn’t play Good Friday which was obviously disappointing not playing in such a great game so I am looking forward to getting back out there against them this week.

“The rivalry is massive. I’ve played in a few games last year against them and it’s always a big occasion for both towns. I’ve obviously played in the comp over there, I don’t think a rivalry compares to it back in Australia even. I think it’s massive.

You go to a lot of places that are very hostile so you’ve just got to prepare for it and try to quiet them down by playing a good game.

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