by For a man who did everything in Rugby Union and knew the lively lights of the NFL, the glow in the eye of Christian Wade when asked what attracted him to a new challenge with Wigan suggests that it was an opportunity that he could not miss.
It was a fortnight for one of the great time of all time in the Premiership. His farewell appearance for Gloucester – and perhaps in Rugby Union – ended with victory against Northampton and two trials. The second of them was a sensational long -term finish in the dying embers of this game which would have attracted the attention of all Wigan supporters carefully verifying what their new signature is capable.
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In relation: Christian Wade: “I see myself at Louis Rees-Zammit, he faces the same challenges”
The next day, he was in a car north to start his new career as a rugby league player. The presentations were carried out on Monday, Wednesday, he was plunged into his first Wigan training session and asked by his head coach, Matt Peet, if he undertook to test himself in a reserve match the next evening despite only two hours on the field by learning a new sport.
His answer? Exactly what you expect from a player who has made his business risks. “Obviously,” he said, smiling. “Otherwise now it will be?” Let’s do it. ” Thus, five days withdrawn from a full house in Kingsholm, Wade was now playing in front of a few hundred people – including Peet – in the slightly less glamorous environment of Castleford, ending about an hour.
A Super League start can still be there at a time, with Wade in pencil for a second reserve the release next weekend before Wigan re-evaluates the situation. The 34 -year -old man understands the fact that it will take time to be considered ready, few players managing to go from union to the league with great success in recent years.
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“There have been many people in the league went to the Union and have become good defense coaches, which helps,” he said. “But the attack side of this one … playing in this game last week, I said to myself, what path do we attack? What are we doing? The shape of the attacks is so different and there is much less stop-only when you mark. But it’s very fun. I appreciate it.”
The transition had taken place even before the hasty beginnings last week, with Wade revealing that he had been watching wigan clips for weeks to prepare as best as possible. But he admits that nothing will do it better for his new challenge than playing games and being plunged into the thickness.
“It was a humiliating experience in Castleford,” he said. “But it was exciting to go out and play because the season is in the league. So it was good to get this baptism of fire and to dismiss it. I will be better than for that and the next games I play.”
The league has already been on Wade radar. Before trying to launch an NFL life in 2019, it was struck by Toronto Wolfpack, a decision that failed to materialize. But after having crossed so many big wigan throughout his career, and despite the discussions on a new agreement with Gloucester, when the Warriors came to call, there will never have been a single answer.
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“They are probably one of the biggest brands in one or the other rugby code, right?” he said. “It’s Wigan. You don’t say no to Wigan. These are the first championship team that everyone knows. Jason Robinson was my idol. I worked with Shaun Edwards. Then throw guys like Martin Offiah too. Gloucester was talking about next season but when I spoke to Wigan, their vision was aligned with mine.”
But what really seems to excite Wade is that even now, when retirement is getting closer, he is lucky to start again and have an impact in a fresh environment, perhaps emphasizing why he was so eager to try new things before. Indeed, the initiates of Wigan would already be impressed by the attitude of Wade.
“Take a step as it means that you cannot be complacent because you have to enter and try to gain respect for a brand new group of people,” explains Wade. “I try to learn this game and I don’t want to be the guy who drops the team, and I have to establish the standard.
“It’s exciting. It is not that I was bored by what happened before, I will always give 110%. But I like the new challenges and I am better for the experiences that I had before too. All of this is preparing me for this excellent opportunity. ”
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Obviously, taking into account the career of Russian mountains of Wade, the door can never be completely closed on a return to the union. But if it’s the end, does he go with regrets? “Absolutely not. It’s not easy; People will always see successes but they don’t know what’s going on in camera.
“I am proud of my career. I opened the open doors to make sure I take advantage of each opportunity. It will not be different here. History is still in writing too. ”
Wade’s short -term agreement only lasts until the end of the Super League season in October. What’s going on beyond that? “Let’s just see how it goes,” he insists.
“It’s open. I did not plan to do six months here, then return to Union. Likewise, I did not think I will do this, sign an extension or go to another Super League team. Let’s just take advantage of the ride. “
