Junior Nsemba has set his sights on making a name for himself for Wigan Warriors after agreeing a new six-year contract with the Betfred Super League champions.
The 20-year-old second rower signed a four-year deal with the Warriors last October, but has now penned a contract that will keep him at Brick Community Stadium until at least the end of the 2030 season.
Nsemba’s family includes former Cameroon international footballers in his brother Alex Song and uncle Rigobert Song, and he is now determined to strengthen his status as one of the rising stars of rugby league after agreeing to this extension.
“It really doesn’t make sense,” said Nsemba, who admitted to being surprised to be offered another new contract, he said. Sky Sports. “I got a call from my agent that the Rads wanted to talk to him, got good news and my parents were laughing and I was laughing.
“I didn’t expect it because I signed last October, and I’m very happy with my contract.
“I want to continue at Wigan, I’m happy now and I’ve been happy since I was a kid.
“I think I want to make a big name for myself at Wigan and give it all back to the coach before I think about anywhere else.”
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Highlights of the Super League match between Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils
Nsemba’s new contract comes at the end of a season which saw him earn a call-up to England’s senior squad for the autumn Test series against Samoa and be named in the Super League Dream Team for the first time.
He was part of Wigan’s victory over Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Challenge Cup final at Wembley in June and made 22 appearances for the Warriors during the Super League regular season as they retained the League Leaders’ Shield.
After making 15 appearances in 2023, Nsemba got his chance with the Warriors this year after Willie Isa suffered an injury and he has not looked back, giving head coach Matt Peet confidence.
“In the beginning, it was unfortunate that Willie got injured, but I think I have a job to fill his shoes and as a player at Wigan Warriors, you have to grab everything with both hands,” said Nsemba.
“When Matty puts you in the squad, he’s confident, so I’m more confident that he picked me last week.
“I feel like this year was a good year for me and I just have to improve.”
Nsemba and Wigan now prepare for their home Super League play-off semi-final against the bottom-ranked team remaining after this week’s qualifiers, with both sides looking to survive. Sky Sportswith the ultimate goal of lifting the Grand Final trophy again at Old Trafford on October 12.
His relationship with Peet, which began when he first joined the Warriors’ scholarship program after impressing for Wigan community club St Judes, and the success he oversaw was part of Nsemba’s decision to stay with his hometown team.
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Highlights of the Super League match between Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils
“At Wigan, we’re quite big in terms of culture and Matty is a family, and he’s involved with my family as well as the other players,” Nsemba said. “The players are really good and I’m quite close to the lads outside of rugby.
“I feel like working with him because I’ve been with him since the scholarship, and he keeps me under the belt and keeps me safe.
“He tells me everything directly and I like it. I don’t like to beat around the bush and he tells me what I need to do to improve, and if I do this, I will get a certain point.
“I think he’s a very good person to tell me how to do it and it’s going to happen.”
What’s next in the Super League?
Leigh Leopards travel to Salford Red Devils in the elimination play-offs on Saturday after securing a fifth-place finish in the Super League regular season, live on Sky Sports + (8pm kick-off).
St Helens will aim to become the first team to win the Grand Final after finishing sixth in the table and having to beat third place. Warrington Wolves away in Saturday’s elimination play-off match, live on Sky Sports + (17:30 kick-off).
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports subscribers access to more than 50 per cent of live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
