Having battled through injury challenges and delivered a standout personal season, the prop forward is now primed to demonstrate his full potential on rugby’s biggest stage.
Wigan Warriors’ prop forward Ethan Havard is determined to leave Old
Trafford this year with a smile on his face, aiming for Super League Grand
Final glory exactly a year after a bitter and frustrating experience left him with
a feeling of emptiness. Having been forced to leave the field early during last
year’s final, Havard’s chance to contribute to Wigan’s victorious 10-2 win over
Catalans Dragons was cruelly cut short by a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
At just 23 years old, Havard’s first Grand Final appearance was marred by a
significant setback. After a three-month absence due to a hamstring tear, he
was called upon from the bench to provide a spark for Wigan. But it wasn’t to
be—Havard lasted only 10 minutes before the injury flared up again, forcing
him to leave the pitch and watch the rest of the historic match from the
sidelines. Despite Wigan’s triumph, the outcome felt bittersweet for the front-
rower. The proud moment of seeing his team crowned Super League
champions was overshadowed by a deep sense of personal frustration.
“It was pretty tough last year,” Havard recalls. “I kind of questioned whether I
would do it or not. I don’t regret it because I learned a lot from it, but I just
want to get it right this time. It was a pretty hollow feeling. Obviously, I was
proud of the lads and what they did, but I didn’t feel as though I put much
towards the result, which wasn’t a good feeling. This year, I want to do it right
and put a good performance out there.”
This year, the 23-year-old prop enters the Grand Final in a completely
different state. Fully recovered from his injury and in peak physical condition,
Havard has had a seamless build-up to the grand event. Having played
consistently throughout the season and enjoyed an impressive campaign, he
feels confident and ready to make an impact.
“I’m going into it feeling pretty confident,” he says. “My body is good, and I’m
just ready to go. It’s been a pretty different preparation this time, obviously
being fully fit now. I’ve been able to build towards the final a bit more this
year, so I roll into it feeling good.”
In addition to the personal redemption he’s aiming for, Saturday’s Grand Final
holds even more significance for Havard. It will mark his 100th appearance for
the Wigan Warriors, a milestone that adds to the emotional weight of the
occasion. Despite the special nature of the achievement, Havard remains
focused on the bigger picture—the chance to lift the Super League trophy with
his hometown club.
“It’s pretty mad how it’s all aligned up,” he says. “It’s pretty special, but
obviously I’m not really focusing on that this week. It’s about the bigger prize
at the end of it. It’s been a good season, another consistent year with winning
the League Leaders’ Shield. It’s something we’re proud of. But it’s just been
enjoyable, we enjoy training every day, so it’s good to come into work.”
Wigan’s showdown against Hull KR promises to be a thrilling contest, with a
crowd of more than 65,000 expected to fill the iconic Old Trafford stadium.
Fans from both sides have snapped up tickets, with the game set for a sell-out.
Havard, however, remains calm and focused despite the magnitude of the
occasion.
“Obviously, the game’s the same, we’ve still got to put a good performance
out,” he explains. “We probably won’t be thinking too much about emotions.
Emotions are part of it, and you’ve got to learn to use them, but it’s just about
being calm in those moments.”
For Havard, this Grand Final represents an opportunity to make up for lost
time and cement his place in Wigan Warriors’ history. After overcoming injury
setbacks and putting together an outstanding individual season, the prop
forward is ready to show what he’s capable of on rugby’s biggest stage. This
time, he’s determined to leave Old Trafford with no regrets.
