06 January 2023 , 22:49
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They have the same name, grew up around the corner from each other and both left Wigan to join Huddersfield's big signings for 2023, it’s little wonder people think the Bibbys are brothers.
Indeed, storming centre Jake Bibby, 27, admits it’s a running joke how folk put two and two together about him and 21-year-old front-row Jack Bibby and equalled siblings. But as much as they have now become big pals on their daily commute down the M62, there is definitely no family connection. One look at their car share pic proves that.
Jake Bibby, one of Huddersfield's big signings for 2023, said: “When I was playing for Salford a few years ago I noticed Jack’s name knocking about and thought it was strange. I didn’t know if he was from Wigan. Then I joined Wigan but he was mainly in the reserves. I’ve got to know him a lot more now, though, as we travel together to Huddersfield.
“It turns out he literally lives five minutes down the road from my family home. It’s not a common name at all so, when I was growing up, it’s weird another Bibby was just around the corner. People are always associating us together. Now we’ve both joined the same team from Wigan I can see why people think he is my brother!”
He’s happy to set the record straight but added: “I did an ancestry thing and I told Jack it’s best that he does one to see if any of our family members have been a bit naughty! He was down to do one anyway. I think he did it over Christmas. We’ll let people know if anything comes up!”
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They are more bothered about becoming part of the Huddersfield family with big things expected of Ian Watson’s side in 2023. Promising prop Jack Bibby joined in October along with Wigan centre Sam Halsall as part of the move which saw England centre Jake Wardle go the other way. Halsall and Great Britain second-row Josh Jones are also in the car for that regular trek across the Pennines.
Huddersfield Giants' Jake Bibby, front, and Jack Bibby on their car share from Wigan to trainingJake Bibby is hoping it will be third time lucky for him in his quest for championship glory. He played alongside Jones in Watson’s Salford side that lost to St Helens in the 2019 Grand Final and 12 months later fell with Wigan against the reigning champions. But he did lift the Challenge Cup last year after ironically edging Giants in the Spurs decider.
Bibby joked: “I try not to bring that up now! I am loving it at Huddersfield. It was so good winning the Challenge Cup with Wigan. But I want more of that with Giants. I want a Grand Final win and we've got the squad that could do it."