Panthers Talented explains why he has no regrets and ‘hunger’ to come back stronger….
Due to a major hamstring injury, Ethan Havard has announced that he will miss the World Club Challenge versus Penrith Panthers next month.
One of the best young forwards in the Super League, the Wigan Warriors prop only played 10 minutes in the Grand Final victory over the Catalans Dragons the previous season after coming off the bench.
His hamstring injury sustained during a loss at Wakefield Trinity on July 7 had kept him out of action, and his bet to play against Old Trafford failed.
The 23-year-old’s worst recent major setback to an incredibly promising career was a Grade 4 tear to his left hamstring.
Having endured ankle, lower back, and elbow ailments in the past, he is no stranger to the arduous journey towards recuperation.
Wigan Warriors star Ethan Havard discusses his injuries during the Super League Grand Final and why he isn’t sorry about his “risked” comeback.
Alamy: Wigan forward Ethan Havard is leading the way in the 2023 Grand Final.
At Wigan’s preseason media day on Monday, Havard said to Love Rugby League, “It was a pretty big risk to play in the Grand Final.”
“It hurt when it happened, and I knew right away that it was over.” Although those chances don’t come around very often—I might never get the chance to play in a Grand Final again—I don’t regret participating.
Naturally, my goal is to repeat the process with precision the next time. It will be difficult to watch the World Club Challenge and the start of the season as I won’t be well enough. I also haven’t really given myself a return date.
“I’m fit whenever I’m fit, but right now I’m running again. My profession is lengthy, and I have to take care of my body’s needs. I cannot sprain that hamstring and repeat what I did.
“Yes, it’s tough to watch the guys work so hard in their training and not be a part of it, but I have to take care of this first. To be honest, the second operation I had on it went nicely.
Although Matt Peet’s team went on to win the Super League, Havard experienced a range of emotions following such an abrupt and devastating exit.
“It felt really empty,” he remarked.
“I had dedicated a lot of teamwork to getting back fit and I wanted to support the team more.” For nine weeks coming up to the Grand Final, I was in a hyperbaric chamber for up to three hours every day.
“I was happy that I took the chance and played the rehab game even though I performed excellently. Being a member of a team that won a Grand Final was an honor, but as I already stated, I’d like to perform better the next time.
Havard talks about having plenty of admirers before suffering an accident.
The NRL is rumored to have admirers, and Sky Sports analyst Jon Wilkin is undoubtedly one of them.
Havard put on a barnstorming performance up front when Wigan overcame Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup in June, despite Kaide Ellis being dismissed early.
