SHAUN DREAD OF THE
Wigan know Wane will hate it, but they plan to use Cas clash to cash in on the emotion about departing boss
SEAN O’LOUGHLIN says Wigan must use the emotion surrounding Shaun Wane’s final home game against Castleford on Friday – even if the coach doesn’t like it.
Wane will end a 30-year association with the club at the end of the season to take up a consultancy role with Scotland RU, having lifted two Super League titles, a Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge while in charge.
Skipper O’Loughlin knows Wane’s sole focus will be reaching a fifth Grand Final as coach, but says the Warriors squad can use the coach’s farewell as a positive.
O’Loughlin (below) said: “He’ll probably not like it but it has to be a bit about him.
“The backroom staff at the club will make parts of the week about him, and there will definitely be some kind of emotional ties to what Waney’s done at the club, what he’s achieved here.
“Some of the best seasons I’ve had, some of the best wins, have had that emotional tie to them with somebody leaving or something.
“It just adds a little bit of extra, and we’ll try to use that this week.”
O’Loughlin was aware of Wane (right) the player when growing up in Wigan before he took up an academy coaching role at the club, but didn’t get to know him properly until he became Michael Maguire’s assistant in 2010.
O’Loughlin said: “Since then we’ve become great mates, someone who I’d class as a mate away from rugby.
“He’s somebody who’s had a massive influence on my career and development even though I was in my late 20s when he took over.
“Waney’s very passionate about what he coaches, and wants what’s best for the players.
“He’s tough and uncompromising at times, but always has the players’ best interests at heart.”
O’Loughlin also dismissed any notion that Wane’s imminent departure – and that of key players Sam Tomkins, John Bateman and Ryan Sutton – will distract Wigan from the task at hand against the Tigers.
He added: “A lot will be made this week of it being Waney’s last home game, but his sole focus will be on the rugby side of things and making sure we’re right. We know what quality Cas have in their side.”