Leuluai: Focus on ourselves

• Tommy Leuluai spoke to Wigan TV ahead of Friday’s season opener at Hull KR.
• Leuluai: “I’d like to think it’s made us a closer group and hopefully it’ll show when we start playing.”
• Hull KR v Wigan Warriors, Friday 11th February, 8pm K.O.

Tommy Leuluai described the Wigan squad as a ‘tight group’ as they make their final preparations before opening their season on the road to Hull KR on Friday night.

“The things off the field that Matt has done, bringing us together, learning about the culture and learning about the club. I think it’s worked really well, we’ve bought into that and it’s made for a smooth transition for the new players.

“It’s a very tight group, and particularly for this time of the year too. As the season goes on you generally grow closer, the bonds grow stronger. You play and go through those tough things in the games, experience wins and losses.”

He added: “(Matt) spoke to me about it before the season, about what he wanted, some of that stuff was new to me but I think it’s worked. I’ve learnt so much about the boys off the field which is good, especially as the age gap between myself and some of the younger boys is quite big so I’ve enjoyed that, there’s been some great ideas around that – I’d like to think it’s made us a closer group and hopefully it’ll show when we start playing.”

On their opposition, Leuluai admitted that Hull KR are a difficult team to gauge in preparation: “It’s hard, we got a glimpse of that last year and with the players that they’ve got, their coaching staff and how they like to play. We’ve done a bit of work, but mostly we’ve focused on ourselves.

“I really like the way they play their Rugby League at Hull KR, they’re exciting and play to their strengths, they’ve got talented players with great offloads and you can tell they’re encouraged to do that. They’re a great team to watch, a tough team to play against.”

The Warriors skipper also mentioned Head Coach Matt Peet, who will undertake his first Betfred Super League game as boss this week: “He’s ready, Matt. He’s done a fantastic job so far and I can’t fault anything that he’s done. He knows the Club, he’s done a great job of getting us together, getting us prepared with no stone left unturned. We’re looking forward to it so it’s down to us now to get the job done for him.”