It’s abuse and it hurts – Jason Clark & team-mates “trying everything” to fix Wire

Josh McAllister
Jason Clark

Warrington forward Jason Clark says he and his team-mates are trying everything to turnaround their season, having claimed just seven wins in 2022. 

The 33-year-old is in his final year at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and has opened up on fan abuse and frustrations following their disappointing season.

The former South Sydney Rabbitohs man admitted he had never experienced such a rollercoaster season in his career to Love Rugby League, but insisted the side are trying everything to fix it.

A Premiership winner in the NRL, Clark heads off to France with French Elite One Championship side Limoux Grizzlies at the conclusion of 2022. However, he has a job to do with Warrington first, with an ever-growing impatient fanbase following results.

Jason Clark: ‘No one goes out there to lose’  

“I see the frustration on the fans’ faces and it hurts me to see how frustrated they are,” Clark told Love Rugby League.

“At Castleford the other week, it really hurt me. To be honest, it was abuse I was almost copping really. People sticking their fingers up at me and hearing ‘why are they wearing a Warrington shirt?’ hurt a bit.

“I’ve got less than two months left here in England and that hurts. I understand they’re not impressed by the performances, but we’re trying everything.

“I know they’re frustrated and it does hurt. This has probably been the first time I’ve experienced this many ups and downs in my career.

“No one goes out there to lose anything. Whenever you try anything in life, nobody goes out there to lose.

“We’ve got 17 blokes in the team on the day and we’re all trying. I understand it’s frustrating for the coach, the staff and the fans and the players. I’m still not giving up yet. There’s games left of the season and I’ll be trying my hardest for them.”

Pressure on at Wire

Warrington remain just two wins ahead of Wakefield and Toulouse, and four points behind sixth-placed Salford in the play-offs.

The side are undoubtedly under pressure to pick up some wins in the remaining seven fixtures, with the likes of Huddersfield, Wigan and Leeds to play.

“It [the pressure] has to be spoken about,” Clark added. “We can’t be blind to it. It’s spoken about in a way that we need to turn it around. We need to try to work out where it is and what the little changes need to be done.

“Sometimes it’s hard to put your finger straight on what the problem is. I know some people from the outside think they know what the problem is. But, it’s still a complicated game at times and we need to turn it around.”

PODCASTPaul Rowley on potent Salford, Leigh for SL, Toronto experience & remembering Ricky

FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app and podcast