In Focus with Sam Eseh Jr
From the moment Sam Eseh Jr introduced himself before his first Wigan TV interview, his bright smile and vibrant laugh showed his true personality. Three months after signing, and whilst working through the demands of pre-season, the forward sat down to reveal all into settling into life at Wigan Warriors.
On the comfort of beanbags and within the warm glow of a Warriors crest inside the Club’s recovery room at Robin Park Arena, Sam, who arrived from Wakefield Trinity in October, began to speak about his amazement of the facilities he now calls home.
“There is nothing to complain about,” he says with a smile. “I remember coming here in 2021 and although I didn’t end up playing, we had a little walk around and I was just thinking wow.
“There is no reason why you cannot be successful here with the facilities and the way the whole place brings motivation – everyone in the building wants you to do well. Even when you have those off days and you feel a little down, you just look around at the pictures on the walls and see the success. I’m grateful this is now my home.”
Sam, who grew up in Halton Moor, began his rugby league career at Chapeltown Cougars Junior Rugby League Club after being introduced to the sport by a primary school PE teacher. The forward later played most of his teenage years at East Leeds ARLFC before future first team Head Coach Mark Applegarth handed him a training trial at Wakefield’s Scholarship programme, which soon led to an Academy contract.
Impressive stints at Barrow Raiders and Featherstone Rovers led to Sam being named the 2022 Championship Young Player of the Year, before his hard work was rewarded with his first Super League appearance in Round 3. Sam finished the season being awarded Wakefield’s Young Player of the Year.
The 20-year-old featured off the bench in the Warriors’ 22-6 win over Wakefield in Round 10 at the DW Stadium, however, it was following a Reserves clash at Robin Park Arena where Sam developed an instant friendship with Junior Nsemba. “We played against each other and afterwards we started speaking about where in Africa our families were from,” Sam said.
“We discovered both our families were from Cameroon, and from there we followed each other on social media and have been friends since then. Having that friendship with someone before moving here made everything ten times easier as Junior made sure to introduce me to all the lads.”
Whilst continuing to settle into his new surroundings at Robin Park, where his primary focus has been on preparing for the 2024 campaign, Sam has had to keep one eye on his belongings. “A few things have been going missing around Junior, you know,” he laughed.
“He [Junior] must be bored with being injured as the other day someone took my phone and started taking loads of pictures on it. There was a long video – around 30 minutes – and at the start you can just see his face putting the phone down. He still acted all innocent like it wasn’t him.”
The 6’4″ prop began pre-season earlier than other members of the squad to start rehabilitation on an injury which required surgery in the off-season. “Thommo [Luke Thompson], Tiaki [Chan] and Kruise [Leeming] were also in earlier so I was able to get to know them as well,” he said. “I did a few boxing sessions with Mike Cooper as well so that all helped with the gelling process and to be honest, it hasn’t really felt like I’m at a new Club.”
As part of his departure from West Yorkshire, Sam has relocated to the Wigan area and is enjoying living on his own. “I realised after moving that I couldn’t be doing all the travelling, especially when we have longer days in,” he said. “I’m all settled in now to my new apartment and I’m enjoying it so far. The area is quite nice, and my apartment has a little lake at the front of it – it’s quite posh I’d say.”
Away from the demands of pre-season at Robin Park Arena, Sam has connected with teammates through shared interests of sports and gaming. “I enjoy watching UFC and boxing for the knockouts, and occasionally I’ll watch football but that gets a little boring sometimes. Junior and I went round to Tiaki and Tyler’s house to watch the UFC which was on at 3am, but we were all ready to sleep by about midnight,” he joked.
“At the start of pre-season Junior and I would come back to mine and play PS4. I beat him the last time we played Fifa, although I was Luton Town and he was Manchester City – however, you can only be as good as your last game. A few of the lads also play Fortnite so we all jump on that and even though they won’t say I am, I’m the best. I’m one of those players who comes in clutch when needed.”
As week six of pre-season begins after a small break over the Christmas period, Sam’s attention is back on being prepared for the start of the 2024 season. Sam, who had his first introduction to the Warriors fans at the Club’s annual ‘Night Under The Light’ open training session in December, is excited to get going in a Warriors shirt.
“I remember looking at the line of fans and just thinking ‘wow’,” he said. “It was good to meet all the fans for the first time who took time out of their night to come and see us. It was nice just to be able to put a smile on their faces.
“I remember coming here as an opposing player and just thinking the stadium is massive and the fans were really loud. We have a tightknit group here and rugby is one of them sports where you go through the trenches together – I cannot wait to play for this Club.”
