Rugby League legends make their Union debuts for Wigan
WHILE Andy Farrell was beginning his quest for a first Six Nations title as Ireland head coach last Saturday, his brother-inlaw Sean O’Loughlin was getting his hands dirty as a rugby union novice.
With having the weekend off from their Wigan Warriors RL coaching duties, Super League legends O’Loughlin and Tommy Leuluai accepted an invitation to play for the town’s much less-heralded rugby union club in a Lancashire & Cheshire
Counties 2 fixture against Eccles.
It was quite some coup for Wigan RUFC as the pair made over 750 appearances for the Warriors in a multi-decorated rugby league playing career and are recognised everywhere they go in the league heartlands.
Neither have been that long retired and the prospect of seeing them in action together again drew a big crowd for the visit of the league leaders.
Cheered on by many of the Wigan RL first-team squad, O’Loughlin and
Leuluai got stuck in and Leuluai scored in the second half; however, a debut win just escaped them with Eccles edging an entertaining contest 26-24.
“I enjoyed it, we both did,” said former England RL captain, O’Loughlin. “We got quite a bit of ball, it was a decent game. The side we played against were a good side and we got to throw the ball around and get our hands dirty.
“The first time I put my head in a ruck I got cleared out, straight away. But it was good fun and it was physical.
“It was good to have a blow-out. You kind of miss getting knocked around a bit as a player.”
Wigan RUFC is right on O’Loughlin’s doorstep and he also has some family ties with the Douglas Valley outfit, which is how the invitation came about.
“I only live about five minutes away and I go down every now and again to watch,” he said.
“I’ve got some family who play for the club – more around the vets age – and my lad George has played with them so I’ve spent quite a bit of time at the union club.
“I got asked ages ago but it never fitted with me coaching on weekends. But when the opportunity popped up, we both said we’d go for it. Tommy was keen as well.”
With the next Super League season just around the corner O’Loughlin and Leuluai’s cross-code venture is unlikely to be repeated soon. But O’Loughlin, 40, insists he might have another game in him.
“I reckon I could have my arm bent again, I don’t think I could do it week in week out, but maybe I could be persuaded once or twice.”