An in-depth look into Wigan new half-back Cade Cust
Cade Cust of the Sea Eagles scores a try during the Round 4 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Penrith Panthers.
Super League outfit Wigan recently announced the signing of half-back Cade Cust from the Manly Sea Eagles on a two-year deal.
He is their third signing from the NRL for the 2022 season. Forwards Kaide Ellis (St George Illawarra Dragons) and Patrick Mago (South Sydney Rabbitohs) also make the move.
Winger Abbas Miski will also be joining the DW Stadium side from London Broncos.
Here’s an insight into the club’s new signing
Born in Scone, New South Wales, Cust started playing rugby league for his local junior side Scone Thoroughbreds.
After then being scouted by Manly, he and his family travelled to Sydney each week to allow Cust to train and play for Manly’s junior teams.
He then lived with former Australia and rugby league star Matthew Johns. This was on the Northern Beaches for three months before finding his own permanent place to live.
Debut
Having played a major role in Manly winning the final Holden Cup premiership in 2017 as a half-back, Cade made his NRL debut in 2019 for the Sea Eagles.
That debut came against Cronulla Sharks in round 10 of that season at Sharks Park.
He scored his first try for Manly in Round 12 2019 against Penrith in which Manly lost the match 15-12.
Cust represented Indigenous All Stars in 2021, featuring from the bench with a 10-10 result at Townsville, Queensland.
He has made a total of 27 appearances in the NRL, scoring nine tries.
Cust played a total of 235 minutes of first-team rugby league for Manly last season across ten appearances. He scored twice, and created one more throughout the season.
Executive director Kris Radlinski on Cade Cust
“We have been working on his deal for a few weeks now,” said Wigan’s executive director Kris Radlinski.
“Once Matt Peet, Shaun Wane and I had spoken to Cade, we were all confident that he was a great fit for Wigan.
“We contacted people whose opinion we trust in Australia including Trent Barrett and Blake Green who both gave positive appraisals of Cade. Our aim now is to get him to the UK as soon as possible to link up with his new teammates.
“We would like to thank the Manly Sea Eagles Club for releasing Cade from his contract. We promise to look after one of their own.”
Cust, who can feature both in the halves or at hooker, has the option of a third year with Wigan. He is set to link up with the team as soon as possible for pre-season.