IT WAS SO OUT OF CHARACTER
And skipper O’Loughlin backs Sam to deal with stick from fans tonight
WIGAN skipper Sean O’Loughlin is confident Sam Tomkins will deal with the jeers tonight – and says the squad will rally round him and his brother Joel after their video nasty.
Joel Tomkins was suspended for four weeks and fined £10,000 after footage of him abusing bar staff went viral on social media.
Sam, who was with him in the pub, was fined £5,000 but escaped a ban and is set to play at Wakefield this evening.
O’Loughlin insists Sam can handle the added pressure when he runs out against Trinity.
The skipper said: “Sam’s a strong enough character. He’s disappointed in what’s happened, what’s come of it and what’s gone on.
“But he’s been copping stick for 10 years, and I don’t think this week will affect him too much.
“The club’s dealt with it, he’s done what he needed to do, and Sam will just concentrate on his performance and making sure he mentality switches on to playing well again.
“Sam has the best thing you can do – the sooner you’re back on the pitch showing what you can do, the better. Obviously Joel’s not going to be doing that for a few weeks so it’s a bit tougher for him. But he’ll be back in training soon and everyone here knows what a good bloke he is and how out of character it was, so we’ll all be here to support him.”
Asked about any impact the incident had on the squad, O’Loughlin added: “Obviously it doesn’t reflect well on the club, Joel and Sam, but it’s happened and it’s been dealt with.
“We know the kind of people Joel and Sam are, and that’s not the kind of stuff they see as acceptable.
“We respect what the club’s done and how they’ve handled it, but we’re also here to support Joel and Sam.
“We know how hard they’ve taken it and how disappointed they are in themselves.” Wigan coach Shaun Wane (above) has also spoken in defence of the Tomkins brothers. He said: “They’ve made a massive error but I’ve known Joel and Sam for 15 years now.
“They are very good people, well-mannered and have made a huge error which they’re paying the price for. “Joel is a conscientious man and I’ve known him more than half his life.
“I’ve become close to him and Sam and I’ve never had a problem with them – it’s just one night.
“The only thing I’m obsessed with now is trying to get a win at Wakefield.
“Everything the club want to say is in their statement and I agree with everything – I think they’ve handled it perfectly.
“It’s not affected preparation at all – we’re a strong bunch, they’re good lads and they’re professional.”