31 December 2023 , 20:40
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Having played just three games in 18 months, there’s little wonder Wigan’s Ryan Hampshire hopes to smash into 2024.
The utility player has more reasons than most for wanting to see in a new year. Crocked with a season-ending ACL injury playing for Castleford in June 2022, he still managed to pick up a one-year deal with Wigan. But Hampshire didn’t make his comeback until last May, featuring at stand-off in a Challenge Cup game against Leeds.
After that, with No6 Bevan French in stellar form that would see him win Man of Steel and Aussie ace Jai Field thrilling at full-back, he only managed two more appearances. However, as Matty Peet’s side claimed Grand Final success, Hampshire showed enough to earn another one-year contract - and now he’s out to make the most of it. He said: “I can’t wait for 2024.
“It’s been a frustrating couple of years not playing much due to injuries - it has been tough - so getting out there and getting to stay with Wigan for another year is really exciting. I didn’t come into this club expecting to play all the time. Coming off this sort of injury you don’t hit peak performance until another six to 12 months and I knew that.
“I knew it’d be hard to get a chance. But hopefully I’m going to be the fittest I’ve been in a while when I start next season. And I feel like I’ve unfinished business.”
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Hampshire was “very close” to accepting offers from other Super League clubs where he’d get more game-time. But he insisted: “I just wanted to give it one more shot at Wigan. It was tough not playing but this just felt the right place to be.
Hampshire with Abbas Miski (Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)“And coming off the injury I had, the certain types of training and culture of the team and this club, it was the right thing to do as well as getting to the Super League Grand Final, of course. I didn’t play but I was in that squad.”
And the ex-Wakefield and Leigh player should be coming into his peak years having turned 29 on Thursday. He added: “I feel like I've developed a lot just this year working under Matty, Lockers (Sean O’Loughlin) and especially Tommy (Leuluai) who’s our half-back coach. My game has progressed a lot and hopefully I can show that this year.”
Wigan begin their title defence at Castleford on February 17. But the World Club Challenge against NRL premiers Penrith comes a week later. Hampshire, who started his career with Wigan in 2013, said: “Everyone’s looking forward to that one. That’s the big goal. Hopefully I’ll get in the squad but I’m not going to focus on it too much.”