Rugby League: Fit-again Fielden has regained his hunger to play

Jan 22 2008 by Ian Laybourn, Daily Post

WIGAN and Great Britain forward Stuart Fielden says he has regained his hunger for the game and has set his sights on the World Cup.

The former Bradford Bulls prop, who remains rugby league’s most expensive player following his £450,000 move to the JJB Stadium in 2006, was dropped by Great Britain for the Test series against New Zealand last autumn after a below-par season.

Yesterday Wigan coach Brian Noble revealed that Fielden defied a serious shoulder injury and two broken toes to finish the 2007 campaign but is now close to regaining fitness after a number of close- season operations.

"The last thing I said to him at the end of last season was ‘Go away, eat a load of fish and chips and drink some beer’," Noble said at Wigan’s media day.

"It was a difficult season and sometimes you need to take your mind away from that.

"I think we detect a difference in Stuart and he is looking forward to the season, which is the main thing.

"Hopefully we will see the Stuart Fielden we all recognise. He actually didn’t play that badly last year but he wasn’t up to the high standards he sets himself.

"Towards the back end of last season he had two broken toes which he had jabbed up. He couldn’t practise all week and he had a bad shoulder.He has had all of those things fixed. He’s a very dedicated athlete and he’s not far away from playing."

Fielden, 28, who was an ever-present for Britain from 2001-7 and represented England in the 2000 World Cup, says he took time during his first-ever full off- season to reflect on his aims and ambitions.

He admits he deserved to be dropped by Great Britain but is now hoping to recapture his best form for Wigan and push for a place in Tony Smith’s World Cup plans.

"I’ve had a few things done but I don’t like to talk about injuries," he said.

"I think the best thing for me has been a change of perspective and desire to play rugby league. Through missing and watching Great Britain and also not playing too well last year, you tend to question things.

"It has given me a new outlook and now I can’t wait to get back. I feel in great shape, although there are a few bits to get right. I can’t wait to rip in."