AFTER leaving Huddersfield Giants last year, Jake Mamo was struggling for options.

Injuries and loss of form have punctuated his Super League career after a flying start which saw him score 12 tries in his first 10 appearances.

Warrington Wolves gave him a chance – and he is determined not to let them down.

A one-year deal brings its own pressure to impress but he certainly made a good start by scoring a hat-trick in a pre-season friendly against Widnes Vikings.

He was named in the 19-man squad for the opening Super League game against Leeds Rhinos but had to watch on from the sidelines as his teammates stormed to a 26-6 victory.

The Australian played on the wing and at full-back that day and aims to take his chance wherever he fits into Steve Price’s team.

“I don’t really have direct goals. I just want to play,” said the 24-year-old, who can also play centre.

“I can only do that by training hard, taking opportunities when I get them and seeing what comes from them.

“I came here on the back of not having the best year at Huddersfield. I didn’t have a lot of options in terms of clubs.

“When I spoke to Steve, I wasn’t given a specific position.

“It was just a case of working hard and when you’re given the opportunity we’ll see where you fit in.

“I’d be happy at full-back, wing or centre. Wherever I’m needed, I’ll play.”

Warrington Guardian:

Mamo modelling The Wire's new home kit at its launch last year. Picture by Dave Gillespie

Despite his torrid injury record, his record on these shores is an impressive one.

Mamo may have only played 25 Super League games for the Giants, but they included 17 tries.

The Halliwell Jones Stadium is a place he enjoys playing at as well – his treble against Widnes made it consecutive hat-tricks at his new home ground after crossing three times for Huddersfield as they were beaten 26-24 by The Wire in last year’s Super 8s.

His overall record against Wolves stood at five tries in as many games but now he will set about winning Warrington fans over.

He has made a good start in that regard with Guardian readers voting him as their man of the match against the Vikings.

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After disrupted pre-seasons with Huddersfield, the former Newcastle Knights man says he has not started a season in better shape for a long time.

“I was quite nervous before the Widnes game – more nervous than I’d been before the game in a while, to be honest,” he said.

“With it being a new club, you want to play well for the new teammates you’ve been training with for the past few months.

“I wanted to impress the coaches and make the fans happy to have me.

“It all made me quite nervous at the start but I was happy with the hit-out.

“It probably hasn’t been the longest pre-season with the boys being in the final last year, but it’s been a hard one for me personally.

“I would say it’s the best pre-season I’ve had for three years.

“I’ve struggled with injuries in the past but I feel strong and fit. It’s about putting it into practice now.

“If you look at the last two years, I didn’t start playing until round 10 in 2017 then I definitely wasn’t in the place I should have been for round one last year.

“It’s as sharp as I’ve felt going into a season for a while.”