For a man who has done it all in rugby union and experienced the bright lights of the NFL, the glint in Christian Wade’s eye when asked what drew him to a new challenge with Wigan suggests this was an opportunity he couldn’t miss.
It has been some fortnight for one of the Premiership’s all-time greats. His farewell appearance for Gloucester – and perhaps in rugby union altogether – ended with victory against Northampton and two tries. The second of those was a sensational long-range finish in the dying embers of that game which would have caught the eye of any Wigan supporters keenly checking out what their new signing is capable of.
The following day, he was in a car heading north to begin his new career as a rugby league player. Introductions done on Monday, by Wednesday he was thrust into his first Wigan training session and asked by his head coach, Matt Peet, if he fancied testing himself in a reserve match the following evening despite only two hours on the field learning a new sport.
His response? Exactly what you would expect from a player who has made it his business to take risks. “Obviously,” he said, smiling. “If not now, when will it be? Let’s do it.” So five days removed from a full house at Kingsholm, Wade was now playing in front of a couple of hundred people – which included Peet – in the slightly less glamorous surroundings of Castleford, completing around an hour.
A Super League debut may be a while away yet, with Wade pencilled in for a second reserves outing next weekend before Wigan reassess the situation. The 34-year-old is understanding of the fact it will take time to be deemed ready, with few players successfully making the transition from union to league with great success in recent years.
“There’s been a lot of league people gone into union and become good defence coaches which helps,” he says. “But the attack side of it … playing in that game last week I was like, which way are we attacking? What are we doing? The shape of the attacks are so different and there are a lot less stoppages – only when you score. But it’s good fun. I’m enjoying it.”
The transition had been happening even before that hastily arranged debut last week, with Wade revealing he has been watching clips of Wigan for weeks to prepare himself as best as possible. But he admits nothing will steel him for his new challenge better than playing games and being thrust into the thick of it.
“That was a humbling experience at Castleford,” he says. “But it was exciting to just get out there and play because the season is well under way in league. So it was good to get that baptism of fire and get it out of the way. I’ll only be better for that and the next games I play.”
League has been on Wade’s radar previously. Before attempting to launch an NFL life in 2019 he was sounded out by Toronto Wolfpack, a move that failed to materialise. But having crossed paths with so many Wigan greats throughout his career, and despite holding talks about a new deal with Gloucester, when the Warriors came calling, there was only ever going to be one answer.
“They’re probably one of the biggest brands in either code of rugby, right?” he says. “It’s Wigan. You don’t say no to Wigan. They’re the first league team everyone knows. Jason Robinson was my idol.
I worked with Shaun Edwards. Then throw guys like Martin Offiah in too. Gloucester were talking about next season but when I spoke to Wigan, their vision just aligned with mine.”
But what really appears to excite Wade is that even now, as retirement comes a little closer, he has the chance to start afresh and make an impact in a fresh environment, perhaps underlining why he has been so keen to try new things before. Indeed, Wigan insiders are said to already be impressed with Wade’s attitude.
“Making a move like this means you can’t be complacent because you have to come in and try and earn the respect of a whole new group of people,” Wade says. “I’m trying to learn this game and I don’t want to be the guy who lets the team down, and I’ve got to set the standard.
“It’s exciting. It’s not that I was bored of what happened before, I’ll always give 110%. But I love new challenges and I am better for the experiences I’ve had before, too. It all sets me up for this great opportunity.”
Clearly, given Wade’s rollercoaster career, the door can never fully be shut on a return to union. But if this is the end, does he leave with any regrets? “Absolutely not. It’s not been straightforward; people will always see the successes but they don’t know what happens behind closed doors.
“I pride myself on my career. I’ve busted doors open to make sure I make the most of every opportunity. That will be no different here. The story is still being written too.”
Wade’s short-term deal only lasts until the end of the Super League season in October. What happens beyond that? “Let’s just see how it goes,” he insists.
“It’s open-ended. I haven’t planned to do six months here then go back to union. Similarly, I haven’t thought I’ll do this, sign an extension or go to another Super League team. Let’s just enjoy the ride.”
