Field wins Writers Player of the Year

Wigan Warriors full back Jai Field has been chosen as the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association Player of the Year for 2022.

He polled 61 per cent of the votes of association members to win the Raymond Fletcher Memorial Trophy, which was won by Wigan teammate Bevan French in 2020.

Field missed most of the 2021 season through injury but made up for lost time this year, scoring 20 tries and providing 24 assists to help the Warriors to second place in the Betfred Super League. He also registered the highest recorded speed of any player in Super League, clocking 36.1 km an hour against Hull KR.

The 25-year-old was also instrumental in Wigan’s Challenge Cup triumph at Tottenham in May, scoring one of the tries in the victory.

Overall in 2022, Field has scored 24 tries in 29 games in all competitions.

In the voting, winger French, Salford Red Devils’ Brodie Croft and Huddersfield Giants’ Tui Lolohea were the nearest rivals to Field, who is on the three-man shortlist for the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Award which will be announced on Tuesday 20th September at the Super League Awards.

RLWBA Chairman, Trevor Hunt, said: “It is always difficult for our members to single out players for this award, especially with so many genuine top-quality athletes as contenders.

“But Jai’s amazing battle back to fitness only adds to an incredible story of courage, resilience and fortitude that has seen him take Super League by storm with an incredible display not only of speed but superb skills to give him an edge over his challengers.

“He is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the RLWBA Player of the Year award.”



Monday 12 September 2022