Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin highlighted the defensive efforts of Jake Wingfield in St Helens’ incredible comeback win over Wigan Warriors with the former Saints man tipping more to come from the 24-year-old.
Wingfield made his fourth consecutive appearance after missing the start of the year due to injury, with injury problems having plagued him for a number of seasons.
Only in 2022 has Wingfield played 20 or more games, however, he’s now earning a run in the team and proving his worth with his two try-saving tackles in the Good Friday win over Wigan showcasing exactly what he is about.
St Helens won 34-24 with the main story being the fact they scored four tries in the final nine minutes, however, they were only in that position on the back of Wingfield’s incredible defensive efforts which Jon Wilkin was keen to point out.
Speaking post-match on Sky Sports, Wilkin said: “Saints earned the right to go and win that game by some big defensive plays in the first half that we’ll have a look at that because those moments often get forgotten when Bill Leyland scores two tries.
“But it was defensive work, stubbornness, grit, determination, passion and just a will to get to the end of the game and give themselves a chance and that’s exactly what they did. What a performance.”
St Helens’ unsung hero gets his flowers
Talking specifically about Wingfield’s try-savers, the first which came on Kaide Ellis ensuring Wigan didn’t take an 18-4 lead, and the second on Sam Walters early in the second-half, Sky Sports host Brian Carney labelled them ‘incredible efforts’
Jon Wilkin went further and hightlighted them as the ‘massive plays’ that help win you games with the ex-England star going on to wax lyrical about Wingfield and what is still to come.
He said: “Wingfield is a footballer, right? As is (David) Klemmer, but Wingfield in particular is adaptable and really versatile. He’s an asset to the team.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of this kid. He’s had such bad luck with shoulder injuries but if he gets a run in a position in the team, he can do some things.”
Former Man of Steel Sam Tomkins agreed, adding: “What he’s got is what he can’t teach. He’s a competitor. He competes at every single thing. He doesn’t give up on anything and that’s what coaches want.
“You want someone who’s going to come in and be desperate at every opportunity, and he showed that today.”
Willie Peters, Brad Arthur’s Leeds Rhinos future, RTS and Rivals Round previewed – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
