O’Loughlin: Good standard
- Sean O’Loughlin reflected after leading the team for the pre-season friendly against Newcastle Thunder.
- O’loughlin: “I thought the boys worked very hard, they were put under pressure at times but I thought they came through really well.”
- FT | Newcastle Thunder 12-42 Wigan Warriors.
Wigan Warriors made a positive start to pre-season fixtures with a comfortable victory over Betfred Championship side Newcastle Thunder on Sunday afternoon.
Sean O’Loughlin led the side for the fixture, he explains: “Matt (Peet) asked me to do it for a few reasons really, one being a bit of experience for me, I’ve been involved in Coaching for a few years now but I’ve never really headed a team up so for me it was an opportunity for me to do that.
“For Matt it was good for him to sit and watch rather than having to Coach too much on the day, he gets to see everyone, look at the new lads and look at the younger squad and Academy lads.”
The fixture was Wigan’s first in 2022, but O’Loughlin thought that the team dealt well with the challenge: “I thought it was really good, it was a good standard for a friendly. I thought the boys worked very hard, they were put under pressure at times but I thought they came through really well.
He added: “We always want to avoid injuries which we have done and I thought everyone gave a good account of themselves, they’ve blown the cobwebs away which is what you want from these friendlies and got the boys used to contacts.”
On the intensity of the game, O’Loughlin said: “I think they’ll all agree that it will have felt like a fast game, especially on a dry track. We’ve been on some pretty wet pitches over the last couple of months so to be on a dry track like this and a good day as well, the game was quick but that’s what we want – it’s a good chance for the boys to get out there and put themselves under a bit of pressure.”
A number of Warriors made their debuts in Cherry & White, including try scorers Patrick Mago and Abbas Miski. Speaking on the new additions, O’Loughlin was pleased: “They went really well. For them to get out there and make their debuts for the Club, I know it’s not a Super League game but to pull the jersey on, see what it’s about, play alongside some of their team mates – it was great for them and great for us to get some eyes on them and see what they’re about.
“For the younger boys as well to do the same, it was really good.”
The Warriors now prepare for their second pre-season fixture against Warrington Wolves for Stefan Ratchford’s testimonial game this Saturday. Previewing the game, he said: “Some of the lads will double up from today’s game, I think at the minute we’re a pretty healthy squad so we’re hoping most of the boys will get out there and get some game time.
“We just want the same as today really, get that physicality and test the lungs out, see where we’re at and hopefully it’ll give us some confidence going into the year.”
You can see the full match reaction from Sean O’Loughlin, as well as the full match and match highlights on Wigan TV HERE.
