Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

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josie andrews
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Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by josie andrews »

JAKE WARDLE SELECTS HIS SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS FROM THE 2024 SEASON WHICH SAW WIGAN WARRIORS COMPLETE A HISTORIC GRAND SLAM.

The Warriors centre scored 14 tries in all competitions last season which was recognised at the Club’s End of Season awards where Wardle was voted the Steve Woods Ltd Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year.

Whilst building towards the 2025 season at Robin Park Arena, Wardle sat down to reflect on his favourite moments from a historic campaign which saw the Warriors become the first team in the Super League era to hold all four major trophies:

Becoming a world champion

The Warriors lifted a record-equalling fifth World Club title in February after tries from Abbas Miski, Kruise Leeming and Wardle sealed a 16-12 victory over Penrith Panthers at The Brick Community Stadium.

It was fantastic to beat a team like Penrith in front of a sold out crowd in Wigan,” Wardle said. “Looking back the whole experience stood out and it was only afterwards that I realised how big a moment scoring was.”

Progressing to the Challenge Cup Final

After beating Sheffield Eagles and Castleford Tigers to reach the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final, the Warriors met Hull KR at the Eco-Power Stadium in search of a 21st title upon a Wembley return.

The Warriors produced a dominant display in Doncaster to defeat the Robins 38-6 as Wardle crossed twice alongside tries from Miski (x2), Junior Nsemba, Harry Smith and Tyler Dupree.

“This one sticks out purely for the way we handled the game,” Wardle said. “Hull KR were very good last year and we knew heading into this one that it would be tough. However, we knew if we turned up we’d win and get a little redemption back after losing to Hull KR at this stage last year.

“We were ruthless throughout and it was nice to cross for two tries on a memorable afternoon. The way the team performed and how we handled the pressure of the occasion is what I’ll remember.”

A turning point in the race for the League Leaders’ Shield

Matt Peet’s side faced Hull KR in a highly anticipated top of the table clash at The Brick Community Stadium with three rounds remaining. Despite trailing 20-8 after 57 minutes, a moment of magic from Bevan French followed by a Marshall double turned the contest around as Wigan claimed a vital 24-20 win.

Looking back Marshy’s winning try was such a massive point in the season,” Wardle exclaimed. “The move started with a great bit of skill between Paddy [Mago] and Junior before I had the easy part in running down the wing and handing over to Marshy. There’s no doubt about it that try was the turning point in our season that allowed us to essentially go on and lift the League Leaders’ Shield.”

Flying finish against the Rhinos

The Warriors recorded an emphatic 38-0 win over Leeds Rhinos at The Brick Community Stadium in Round 27, which saw Wardle open the scoring in the early stages with a sensational acrobatic finish in the corner.

We knew exactly what Leeds could do as we lost there a few weeks prior and they were desperate for the win,” Wardle said. “It was a game we could have slipped up in had we not got right but the way we started set the tone.”

“It was a great kick from Harry followed by a class piece of skill from Marshy – I just had to finish it. It wasn’t until afterwards when I had people sending me the try that I realised what I’d done. In the moment you’re focused on getting the job done but afterwards you can analyse things better and see more had to be done.

“I’m forced to sit and watch matches afterwards by my little boy who loves rugby. That’s testament to the Club for being so family focused which is special. In return I get to enjoy those moments with him afterwards.”

Creating history at Old Trafford

Having scored in a 64-0 win over Salford Red Devils in the final round of the regular season to lift the League Leaders’ Shield, Wardle and the Warriors saw off Leigh Leopards in the play-off semi-final to seal a return to Old Trafford.

Bevan French cut through the Hull KR defence to score the contest’s sole try as a Smith drop goal and two Adam Keighran goals ensured a 9-2 win and history at The Theatre of Dreams.

“It would be impossible not to look back on the season and to not think we’ve done something pretty special,” Wardle said. “From the first game against Castleford to completing the Grand Slam it would be hard to pick just one of those to favour. We have to look at it as one and be proud of what we have achieved.”

Even though we had discussions going into the Grand Final on winning all four, I don’t think we fully understood how big an achievement it actually is until afterwards. We had the experience of winning the Grand Final the year before which helped with the emotional side – we knew we were there to the job done which is what we did.”

Don’t miss out on supporting the Grand Slam winners in 2025 by securing your membership online HERE. Supporters are reminded that the Early Bird price deadline is 5pm on Friday 3 January – just one week away!

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/12/ ... from-2024/
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
morley pie eater
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Re: Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by morley pie eater »

Self-effacing and always ready to credit others - he's certainly no Martin Offiah, who likes nothing better than to tell you every detail of a try he scored 30+ years ago. You won't be seeing Jake in a pink suit on BBC SPOTY, but he's certainly a good un.
Wigan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Saints ⭐⭐⭐
Beryl O'Neill
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Re: Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by Beryl O'Neill »

First class player 👍
moto748
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Re: Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by moto748 »

For all the magic that Bevan has given us this season, that flip back by Marshy and remarkable finish from Jake takes some beating. But of course, he's been class all year.
josie andrews
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Re: Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by josie andrews »

We did something special: Jake Wardle reflects on Wigan Warriors’ historic year

JAKE WARDLE reckons it’s difficult to pick out a highlight win from the 29 achieved in 2024 as Wigan continue the countdown to the new campaign.

The Warriors, who begin the Super League season by hosting Leigh on Thursday, February 13 after competing in round three of the new-look Challenge Cup, are aiming to build on their ‘all-four’ success.

Winning the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield then the Grand Final (in game number 34) is unprecedented in the summer era.

And it led to Wigan being named Team of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards as well as coach Matt Peet being selected as League Express’ Man of the Year.

The Warriors can claim only three pieces of silverware in 2025 since the World Club Challenge, which would have been a repeat of last year’s clash with Penrith Panthers, won’t take place – but the treble is the aim.

Centre Wardle, who is approaching his third season at Wigan after moving from Huddersfield, missed only one match in 2024, and contributed 14 tries.

While focused on the future, the 26-year-old England international allowed himself a look back at last season, picking out key contests, including the 16-12 home victory over Penrith and two tilts at Hull KR – in the last four of the Challenge Cup (38-6 at Doncaster) then the Grand Final (9-2).

“It was fantastic to beat a team like Penrith in front of a sold-out crowd in Wigan,” he told the club website.

“The whole experience stood out and it was only afterwards that I realised how big a moment scoring was.

“The Challenge Cup semi-final sticks out purely for the way we handled the game.

“Hull KR were very good last year. We knew it would be tough but also that if we turned up, we’d win and get a little redemption after losing to them at the same stage in 2023.

“We were ruthless throughout and it was nice to cross for two tries. The way the team performed and how we handled the pressure of the occasion is what I’ll remember.

And even though we had discussions going into the Grand Final on winning all four, I don’t think we fully understood how big an achievement it actually was until afterwards.

“It would be impossible to look back on the season and not think we did something pretty special.

“From the first game against Castleford (a 32-4 away win) to completing the grand slam, it’s hard to pick just one of those matches to favour. We have to look at it as one and be proud of what we achieved.”

https://www.totalrl.com/we-did-somethin ... oric-year/
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Charriots Offiah
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Re: Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by Charriots Offiah »

The guy was a steal, a Rolls Royce of a centre.
josie andrews
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Re: Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by josie andrews »

Charriots Offiah wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:09 pm The guy was a steal, a Rolls Royce of a centre.
Best centre since Chicken George 😊
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Charriots Offiah
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Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:14 pm

Re: Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by Charriots Offiah »

josie andrews wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 2:49 pm
Charriots Offiah wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:09 pm The guy was a steal, a Rolls Royce of a centre.
Best centre since Chicken George 😊
I my view he is better.
Exiled Wiganer
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Re: Wardle’s stand out moments from 2024

Post by Exiled Wiganer »

I think that, by the time he leaves the club (hopefully many years hence), he will leave us with a body of work that puts him alongside Ashton, Bell and Connolly as legendary centres. He is pure class, and we are very lucky to have him.
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