Ryan Hamphire: Wigan Warriors forward looks ahead after ‘disappointing’ return from ACL injury | Rugby League news

Wigan Warriors’ Ryan Hamphire returned from an 11-month injury layoff in last Saturday’s Challenge Cup win against Leeds Rhinos; Wigan travel to Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League on Thursday; watch the Round 13 opener live on Sky Sports

It’s been a long 11 months for Ryan Hampshire, so it would be understandable if his mind got the best of him after helping Wigan Warriors to a thrilling Challenge Cup win against Leeds Rhinos on his first return to action since last June. a year.

An ACL injury last June that required two surgeries and the expiry of his contract with Castleford Tigers at the end of the 2022 Super League left the 28-year-old questioning whether he still had a future in the game, especially after his departure. almost two months without money while rehabbing in the winter.

It was the feeling of not wanting to let his family down that got him through those dark days and see them help the Cup holders. fighting back from 14-6 down at half-time to beat Leeds in the sixth race at Headingley last Saturday brought many thoughts to the fore.

“I was really emotional at the end and I got to be together, see my family at the end,” said Hampshire, who was named Cade Cust in the division alongside Harry Smith in the game.

“There are a number of staff here who know the process I’ve been through and the conversation I had with them at the end, they saw that I was giving back a little bit.

“When I came back from injury, I had to think about my family again. It wasn’t about me, I had to go back to them, who have been using me since I was a child to get me to where I am.

“Toleration would be too selfish for me, so the biggest return was for them.”

Hampshire in action against Salford in 2014 during his first spell with Wigan

Another one who was pleased to see Hampshire’s comeback was Warriors head coach Matt Peet, who first discovered him as a child while playing and coaching in the youth team.

Although originally from Wakefield, Hampshire made his senior debut for Wigan in 2013 after joining local side Normanton Knights and his career has brought him around after talks with Leigh, his hometown club and Castleford.

Peet was impressed with Hampshire’s handling of his recovery at the Warriors and his patience in waiting for opportunities, and admired him on a human level.

“Many of these players and athletes have moments in their careers, whether it’s injuries, loss of form, mistakes in the game, and the psychology of the game is very important,” Peet said.

When I came back from injury, I had to think about my family again. It wasn’t just about me, I had to get back to them, who have been working since I was a child to get me to where I am.

Ryan Hampshire

“This is what we have come as a club and as a training team, to support these players in difficult times and in good times, to try to keep them where they want to go. It is nice to be with Ryan again. , he has shown high quality since I started talking to him.

“The other players spoke to Ryan and praised him for the way he came back. He was touched a little bit, but all his effort, in his first game after a long injury in the heat, was great. We will always appreciate it here before anything else.”

Hampshire will be looking to retain their place in the team as the second-placed Super League side travel to third-placed Hull Kingston Rovers in the opening game of Round 13 on Thursday. Sky Sports.

This is a repeat of the opening game that saw last year’s semi-finalists go down 27-18 at Sewell Group Craven Park to a team now coached by former Wigan scrum-half Willie Peters.

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Some highlights from Hull KR’s 27-18 win against Wigan Warriors in the opening game of the 2023 Super League season.

The Warriors are once again among the top contenders in the Super League and Hampshire are delighted to return to the DW Stadium with their first club having the chance to lift major honours.

“It’s good to be back at this club,” Hampshire said. “It’s very different from the last time I was here, and I’m very happy to play in a top team again. This is what I’ve been working for the last four, five or six years.

“I was a little nervous before the game started [against Leeds]but the closer I got the more it started to disappear and as soon as I got out of the yard and put in the work, the worries about everything in the past ended.

“Obviously we’ve got a few injuries right now, and I’ve only just come back, but you need the whole team as it turns out.

“There are good players to come back, and I have to continue to do my job well and I hope there is a place in the team.”

Watch third-placed Hull Kingston Rovers take on second-placed Wigan Warriors on Sky Sports Arena from 7.30pm on Thursday, May 25 as the Betfred Super League returns with its Round 13 opener. Watch it again on NOW TV.