Teenage sensation Jared Simpson has admitted scoring a try on his Super League debut was a dream come true.
But the young Giants full-back also acknowledged being on the receiving end of a 32-18 home defeat to Wigan Warriors was something of a reality check.
Former Moldgreen junior Simpson couldn’t have asked for a better start to his top-flight career with a try for his hometown club with just his second touch in Super League.
After putting in a confident kick with his first contribution, he backed that up by coming into the attacking line to show great pace and slip through England international Matty Smith and Joel Tomkins to score with his second touch.
It was a sign of his undoubted talent – and a score his father and legendary Bradford Northern winger Roger Simpson would have been proud of – although the young man himself is refusing to get too carried away.
“To be honest, the whole game and experience is still a bit of a blur,” said the 19-year-old, who first played rugby league for Moldgreen Under 10s.
“But it was definitely a dream come true to play for the Giants in Super League. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do from the time I started playing the game.
“Obviously I was really nervous before the match started – in fact, I couldn’t believe how nervous I was – and even after I’d scored that early try, the nerves were still there.
“Fortunately, the longer the game went on and the more encouragement the boys gave me, the more at ease I felt and the more my confidence grew.
“I couldn’t believe how much quicker Super League is compared to the Academy, where I’ve been playing all season, but physically there isn’t that much difference. As someone who’s not the biggest in the world, I was pretty happy about that!
“It’s just a shame we couldn’t end up beating Wigan, because I felt our first-half effort deserved a lot more reward.
“But this whole experience has shown me what Super League is all about, and it’s now up to me to make sure I learn from it all and come back even better.”
Proud father Roger was in the stands to watch his son take centre stage, with Jared knowing his dad should take some of the credit for the way he played.
“He’s always been there for me and taken a very keen interest in the way I’m playing,” added Simpson.
“And he was there to watch me in this game, as were almost all of my family.
“Because he had such a good career, I obviously asked him for advice ahead of the game and he told me to try and treat it just like any other game. He said the passes, kicks and tackles are just the same as I’m used to, it’s just that the stage is a lot bigger.
“So that’s the way I tried to look at it, and I’d like to think that served me well.”
