Jay Field has been adamant that he will not return to the NRL any time soon as he aims to achieve more glory in a Wigan Warriors shirt.
The Australian full-back has established himself as a key member of the Warriors side that have won all the titles in recent seasons since moving to the Betfred Super League ahead of the 2021 season.
Field has since signed two contract extensions with Wigan, most recently until the end of the 2027 season. Field is delighted to be part of a team that has won every trophy it has ever won.
“I'm really happy with it right now,” Field said. Bench Podcast. “The players they've brought in, it's exciting to be at the club.
“I'm really happy here now, and I think I'm less inclined to go home than when I first came here.
“I've signed two contracts since I came here, which says a lot about the club and how I've adapted here.”
Field scored for Wigan in their 28-14 win over Huddersfield Giants last Thursday and is back in the 21-man squad for the rearranged visit of Leigh Leopards in the 'Battle of the Borough'. Sky Sports Tuesday night.
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Wigan Warriors' Jay Field, who spoke on the bench alongside Jenna and John, said he sees an opportunity for younger players in the NRL to get more regular rugby involvement in Super League.
The 26-year-old decided to join the Warriors after making just six first-team appearances for the Parramatta Eagles in 2020. He made just 11 first-team appearances for his former club St George Illawarra Dragons between 2017 and 2019.
Field and team-mate Bevan French both followed in the footsteps of former Wigan players Blake Green and Jackson Hastings, who also played for Salford Red Devils, by moving to the Australian Super League.
He believes the route is becoming increasingly attractive to former NRL players, who may have limited first-team opportunities compared to established players.
“It's becoming a lot more common for spine players now, with some of the best half-backs and full-backs playing into their mid to late 30s,” Field said.
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Interviewed by The Bench alongside Jenna and John, Jay Fields explains his journey back from a hamstring injury that kept him out of action for Wigan Warriors.
“You can be a young player with all the potential, but you're just stuck behind the players and you have to do something for the club to get your chance.
“People are starting to realise that, the Super League clubs are still taking hungry players out of the system because that’s the desire they have to get back.
“It hasn't happened yet, but I'm stepping into a great club and a great team.”
Since joining Wigan, Field has helped them win the Challenge Cup twice – last year's Super League Grand Final triumph and this year's World Club Challenge win over Painless Panthers.
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Highlights from the Betfred Super League match between Wigan Warriors and Huddersfield Giants.
He is one of several key players who have committed their future to the club, most recently winger Liam Marshall who signed a four-year contract extension last week.
“It's an exciting time and other players at the club are looking at it,” Field said.
“Bevan has locked himself in, I'm here, (Jake) Wardle has signed. So those players make you think about everything. Do you want to leave that and be part of something special, go back to the NRL that first jumped at you?
“You might not get picked again, and you might get bounced up and down the reserve ranks again, but if you stay here, you have a chance to do great things.”
Watch Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards go head-to-head at the Brick Community Stadium in the 'Battle of the Borough', live on Sky Sports Action from 7.55pm (8pm kick-off) on Tuesday. Also stream on NOW.
