Matty Bowen has reiterated that he isn’t trying to emulate Sam Tomkins on the field for Wigan, after taking up the option of a second year with the Warriors to remain with the club in 2015.
Bowen arrived on an initial one-year deal from North Queensland Cowboys to replace the outgoing Tomkins, and he was quick to tell this week’s League Express that he is only focused on his own game, not Tomkins’, as well as admitting it was great to get signed up at Wigan for next year.
“I came over here because Sam had gone to the NRL, but I just wanted to come over here and play the footy I know I can play,” said Bowen.
“I’m not Sam Tomkins and I didn’t come over here with the intention of being like Sam Tomkins. I didn’t really worry about playing like him or replacing him. I’m all about my own game, and now I’m settled in the team I feel like we can continue this momentum going into the play-offs.
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“It’s been really good to be here. I always wanted to see how I went during my first year here, but I’ve really enjoyed it and I’ve loved playing in the Super League.”
Bowen said family played a big part in him deciding to stick around for at least another season, saying they are all settled in the local area, which made a big difference in terms of his future.
“I said I’d make my mind up halfway through the season, but my family is enjoying it and that made my decision a lot easier,” he added.
“It was in the back of my mind that we’d all see how it went. From the first day we came here it’s been really good, the club made me feel really welcome, and it was just a case of seeing how the footy went and seeing if I felt settled.”
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The 32-year-old admitted he endured a slow start to his time in Super League, but he said the differences between the NRL and England’s top division are minimal. He also admitted that as an experienced player, the youth and exuberance of the likes of Lewis Tierney and Ryan Hampshire are keeping him on his toes moving forward.
“At the start of the year I wasn’t playing my best footy, partly because I was coming into a new team and new structures. There are some games that differ a little bit from the NRL, but each week is a good standard and every team in the competition is of a decent standard. I don’t think it’s too dissimilar to the NRL.
“It’s always good to have kids like that who can keep me on my toes! Lads like Lewis Tierney and Rocky Hampshire can push you, and whilst I help them out they give me a little bit of an edge because they’re always on my toes.”
Bowen missed Friday’s game against Hull FC, but he hopes to return for this Sunday’s trip to Bradford.
