Jack Farrimond, the 18-year-old Wigan Warriors prospect, made a significant impact at Magic Weekend with his performance against St Helens, highlighted by a memorable try from his own kick. His display was pivotal in Wigan’s 20-0 victory over their rivals, reinforcing their position in the Betfred Super League’s top two.
Farrimond’s performance was a standout moment of the weekend at Elland Road and drew praise from Wigan head coach Matt Peet, who acknowledged the excitement of seeing young talent emerge.
Peet, who has witnessed the rise of players like Sam Tomkins and George Williams, is familiar with the dual experience of celebrating young players’ breakthroughs and then dealing with their subsequent demands for pay rises.
With Bevan French sidelined due to a hamstring injury and Harry Smith serving a suspension, Farrimond, who had previously struggled in a loss to Warrington Wolves, seized his chance in the high-profile derby. He credited assistant coach Tommy Leuluai for his guidance, which helped him and Adam Keighran, who played alongside him in an unfamiliar half-back role.
Farrimond reflected on his debut Magic Weekend with enthusiasm, stating, “It was amazing. I think you could probably tell that by my reaction after I scored. It was really enjoyable and a good first taste [of Magic Weekend].” He expressed a commitment to continuous improvement and hard work as he looks to build on his promising start.
Family means everything to Jack Farrimond ❤️
A lovely moment as the @WiganWarriorsRL star was presented with his Player of the Match medal by Katie & Ian from @ComIntCare 👏#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/MHCVtTYN5H
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 17, 2024
Looking ahead, Farrimond and Keighran will continue their partnership when Wigan hosts Hull FC on Sunday. Despite the victory over St Helens, Peet believes there is room for improvement and expects the pair to enhance their cohesion with more experience.
He was particularly impressed with Farrimond’s defensive efforts, noting, “There were a few tackles Jack made in that first 20 or 25 minutes that if he doesn’t make them in the manner he does, he doesn’t get his moment to show what he’s about.”
As Wigan Warriors prepare for their next fixture, the performance of Farrimond remains a source of optimism for both the coach and the club’s supporters.
