CHRISTIAN Wade is proving mind over matter and seizing his chance makes sure he comes good as he makes his mark in a THIRD professional sport.
The former England and British Lions RU star scored a try on his senior rugby league debut as Wigan saw off Huddersfield.
Just like when he made NFL giants Buffalo Bills’ squad and scored a 65-yard touchdown with his first touch.
And at the heart of it all is what goes on in his head, just as it did when he was a kid.
Wade said: “Don’t worry about mistakes or what might go wrong. Just think about what can go right.
“There’s no point because things are going to go wrong. Things going wrong is inevitable.
“I hadn’t played rugby league before, I’ve only been here four weeks, I’ve played the whole season with Gloucester.
“There were all these excuses you can have on it, but I was like, ‘No, from the day I come here, I need to train like I’m playing, so when my opportunity comes, I’m ready to go.
“On Wednesday it was like, ‘Right Wadey, you’re playing.’
“In the NFL, it’s very rare you get opportunities. I got one in the fourth quarter and on my first touch, I scored. In rugby, it’s the same.
“There are loads when I had to seize the moment. That’s propelled me on to the next opportunity.
“There are loads I didn’t get, but I pride myself on any I’ve had in my career, I’ve made the most of them.
“I haven’t always had the same opportunities everyone else has, but whatever I’ve had, I’ve always tried to do something with a bang.
“It’s, ‘When that opportunity arises, what are you going to do with it?’
“When I was younger, I might get five minutes off the bench or play a whole game, but there was one opportunity where I got the ball.
“If it’s the one time, I’m scoring. I’m determined to make something of this opportunity, of this possession. That’s what it’s always been, trying to make something happen.
“I’d been waiting for one at Wigan, so it was like, ‘OK, this is my opportunity to play. Try and make the most of it.’”;
Wade, 34, had a shaky start but raced over in the second half of a ’crazy’ experience.
Even in just 80 minutes, his attitude to life shone through as he added ahead of today’s visit of Hull FC: “It was crazy.
“From the very start to the end, it was a whole different experience. The speed of the game. It’s an aerobic game, we’re constantly moving. There are no real rest periods.
“And a lot of contacts for me. Things like first and second carries, but that’s my job. If that’s my job, then I have to make sure I’m in there.
“Huddersfield did put a couple of high kicks up at me and I dropped a couple easy ones, which I wasn’t happy about.
“That’s the game, though. I could do better but you’ve got to try and ride it out.”;
Wade may be from down south and his accent definitely is not from Wigan but he has quickly integrated himself into the Warriors’ squad.
And one player stands out more than most, Junior Nsemba.
“He was probably the first player I met at the Good Friday game with St Helens,”; Wade recalled. “But I knew was an up-and-coming superstar.
“From the beginning, I was like, ‘This guy’s an absolute beast.’ He’s really big, but he’s fast. He’s got footwork. He’s powerful, he’s strong.
“He is something to fear, especially at his age now. What’s he going to be like in five years? 100 per cent, he’d be a superstar in either code or any competition.”;
