While Bevan French stole the headlines and was the toast of Wigan after the Gomeroi man led the Super League champions to the World Club Challenge title over the NRL premiers, there was another Aboriginal face hiding in the shadows of the man-of-the-match's brilliance.

Jai Field, who steadfastly stood behind French in the line, was arguably Wigan's next best player in triumphing against Penrith in a 16-10 final win over the Australian system.

For the Warriors, Field's desperation was worth every tightly-gripped tackle. For the Wiradjuri man, it was more of a platform to prove and plea to NRL suitors to bring him back to the country of his ancestors.

The fullback was once cast aside from the NRL following just 17 first grade matches across two clubs.

One of them, much like French, was Parramatta, the territorial archrival of Penrith's.

French departed the Eels at the end of 2018, and Field followed the same path in 2020.

The First Nations men arrived at Wigan in the mild English summers two years apart where they have since thrived, culminating with outstanding performances on the rare world stage against the Panthers.

The heroics came just six weeks after re-signing with the Super League club for up to four more years.

Field is open about harbouring ambitions to play back in Australia after the last two seasons of the new deal has a loophole to tear up the contract should the 26-year-old want to seek a release to an NRL club come 2026.

"I got this year and next year (in the new contract), and then see what happens from there," he told English reporters after the World Club Challenge win.

"I've got a few options here in my favour at Wigan after next year, but everything's always an option.

"That'll be five years (for me at Wigan) by the end of next year – that's a long stint."

Field added that he feels there is unfinished business to prove to NRL supporters that he can add the same defence back home after initially struggling to get a game – just 13 times over three years at St George Illawarra before lasting one year at Parramatta.

"I was at a couple of clubs where you don't really get as many opportunities, or you get blooded as much as what other kids did that were in the same pathway as you," Field said.

"That's why we (Field and French) ended up over here.

"For me, you look at the people I played before me – Blake Green, Jackson Hastings, they've gone over there now and gone well.

"It's definitely still something you want to go and do.

"A lot of people are saying you couldn't, but you still can."

While French popped up everywhere against the world-class Panthers that included a key line break assist and a further try assist from a cut-out pass in addition to running the ball 98 metres, Field's game could be summed up by one matchsaving tackle.

Chasing down a flying Taylan May's charge towards the line was what a rapt Wigan coach Matt Peet said was far from a chance occurrence.

The save caused controversy after the video referee could not find evidence that May got the ball down over the tryline.

"Jai's always been doing that in the Super League," Peet said.

"What our players have done, I think, that's the point I'm making, is be themselves against an outstanding competition.

"Jai's been saving tries for seasons now.

"I can remember a handful of him doing the same thing.

"He's becoming one of those players that when people are against him one-on-one, you'd expect him to make it.

"He works very hard on that."

The deciding play was nearly matched earlier in the second half when Field set up Jake Wardle for the final try of the tight encounter.