WIGAN WARRIORS hooker Tom Forber wants to go into the New Year “fitter, faster and stronger” as he continues his return from the broken wrist which firmly put the brakes on his 2025 campaign.
The 22-year-old Academy product played the first six matches of last season, including two Challenge Cup ties and the Las Vegas win over Warrington, each time coming off the bench.
With Kruise Leeming in form and Brad O’Neill back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Forber was then farmed out to Oldham, featuring five times, and he also played for Wigan Reserves.
He was in second-team action when injury struck, and spent much of the close-season working on his rehabilitation before stepping things up alongside his teammates at the club’s Robin Park Arena training base in recent weeks.
“I’m an individual who always likes to stay active, so the injury made things difficult at the start as I couldn’t do much,” said Forber, who has registered 18 Wigan appearances since his debut in 2022.
“The off-season has been slightly different. I’ve still managed to spend a week in Egypt and visit family, and I’ve also spent time with the lads, going for breakfasts and playing cards and squash.
“You face lonely and repetitive days in the gym when you’re injured, but it’s important you keep working hard and stay positive, because the main goal is to return fitter, faster and stronger.”
Speaking to the club website, Forber added: “I’ve enjoyed being back in for pre-season. It’s hard work, but when you spend so long working through rehab on your own, you miss being around teammates even more.
“The connection we have is built from the time we spend together outside of rugby. We’re a good group of mates and our desire to win for each other is stronger than wanting to win for yourself.”
Forber had also enjoyed taking part in Wigan’s ‘Warriors Together’ community initiative and has visited primary schools to help raise awareness of mental health and physical wellbeing.
“Warriors Together is massive as we get to engage with the community in the build up to Christmas,” he said. “It gives us that appreciation of what we have and how we shouldn’t take our position for granted.”