Jai Field's turbulent to triumphant journey that can have a happy ending at Tottenham

Jai Field is aiming to cap a “crazy 12 months” when he runs out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Saturday’s Challenge Cup final. The Wigan Warriors star saw his debut season in England wrecked by injury but will aim to continue his brilliant 2022 campaign against Huddersfield Giants this weekend.

The Aussie full-back sustained a severely-torn hamstring during his Super League opener against Leigh Centurions and was ruled out for five months. He returned to action later in the season but made just four appearances during a bitterly disappointing 2021.

This year, though, Field has returned to full fitness and his scintillating form has seen him score 17 tries in all competitions to become the favourite to win the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award. Field told Rugby League Live: “It’s been a bit of a crazy 12 months to be honest with you.

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“After spending five months on the sidelines and not really playing at all last year, it has been great to start this season so well. It is a bit of a reality check – things can happen quickly in rugby league and it’s definitely nice to be staying fit healthy at the moment as well. To now be playing in a Challenge Cup final is a dream come true.”

Field received outstanding support during his gruelling road to recovery last year.

“I had my partner here and the club were unbelievable, plus I was on the phone to my family and mates every day as well,” explained the 24-year-old. “I was quite lucky that I had great people around me, so I handled it quite well.

“Now I’m delighted to be playing in a major final but we know how tough it’s going to be. Huddersfield are a great side, a really gritty team who get into the grind and they