ZAK ON CLOUD 9
‘Wane gives England passion again’
ZAK HARDAKER is buzzing at the prospect of finally getting to play for Shaun Wane.
The new England coach signed Hardaker for Wigan in 2018 but had left the Warriors before the player became eligible after a drugs ban.
Hardaker has thrived under Adrian Lam, scooping three major club awards last year, and has also turned his life around off the pitch.
But he admits the thought of coming under Wane’s wing, after being named in his first England squad this week, will give him extra incentive to shine.
Hardaker said: “I was over the moon when he was picked as England coach because I know he will bring some of the passion back into the game.
“I have always admired and respected him as a coach and was really disappointed that we didn’t get to work together at Wigan.”
Hardaker, who has won five England and two Great Britain caps, is determined to fight his way into Wane’s side for the Ashes series later this year.
He added: “I have never played against Australia and
I’m really passionate about representing my country, so it will be a massive honour if I’m picked.
“But I know I have to keep doing well for Wigan first. We’re confident because we’ve started the season well.”
Hardaker’s troubled past is welldocumented but he says the dark days and controversies are behind him now.
He said: “I’ve got everything I need and want now. Me and my girlfriend have moved over and we’re happy.
“It’s seems weird because I thought I was happy before, but there were times where I wasn’t and didn’t realise it. But it’s about growing up and learning things.
“I don’t think about what’s happened before. I had a really good year with Wigan last year and enjoyed my rugby and my life outside, and that is continuing this year.”
Wigan went into the weekend’s fixtures list level
LFAon points at the top of Super League and are huge favourites to beat struggling Hull KR today.
But Hardaker, 28, fears danger lurks if the Warriors go into the home clash with that attitude.
He added: “I’ve been playing Super League for 10 years and, on more than one occasion, I’ve lost to teams that were struggling or looked easy to beat on the team sheet. “It’s 100 per cent dangerous to think like that. I watched Rovers’ last game against Castleford and for parts of the game they were pretty good and sharp on the ball.
“Then they lost a few tackles and there was a snowball effect, but we know they will be dangerous if we don’t focus. We want to keep picking up two points and staying at the top as long as possible.”