Pundit gushes over ‘unbelievable’ Wigan Warriors centre, labelling star one of Super League’s form players
Huddersfield assistant coach Luke Robinson believes Wigan’s Jake Wardle has been ‘one of the form centres of Super League’ following his hat-trick display against Leeds.
The 24-year-old took his 2023 Super League try-scoring tally to 13 following the 50-0 demolishing of the Rhinos, and is currently enjoying one of his best forms to date.
A product of the Huddersfield academy, having worked alongside former Giant Robinson, now 39, Wardle made the move to the DW Stadium ahead of the current campaign on a three-year deal.
He fell down the pecking order under Ian Watson at the John Smith’s Stadium and was last year involved in a straight swap deal with Toby King, finishing his campaign on loan at Warrington as the side finished 11th on the table.
The move under Matt Peet has since galvanised his performances, with this year marking his most appearances in a season to date – beating the previous of 19 games in 2021.
Wardle’s form should also see him push for an England spot for the end-of-year test series against Tonga, with competition against the likes of Herbie Farnworth, Mark Percival and now-team-mate King.
Robinson, who watched his side lose their play-off hopes with a defeat to Hull KR in Round 25, was a guest on the latest episode of the Super League Show on the BBC alongside host Tanya Arnold.
Luke Robinson: He’s been brilliant for Wigan
“He’s an unbelievable player,” Robinson said on Wardle.
“I was very fortunate enough that he was my academy centre. I think he had been out for four or five months and in his first game back he scored four tries for me. It just shows what a quality player he is.
“He’s been brilliant for Wigan. He’s been one of the form centres of Super League.
“He’s always been a fabulous attacking player, he’s got a wicked left foot step, great hands and a lovely flick.
“But defensively and all the off-the-ball stuff he’s worked on really hard this year.”
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