Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane has said the 62-0 loss to Wakefield does not sting him – insisting that both are different teams heading into this Friday’s clash.
Wakefield’s comprehensive win in April was marred for the Warriors by huge illness and injury problems, something Wane pointed out in the aftermath of the game.
But ahead of the first meeting between the two sides since that day, Wane has said that loss is a result that hasn’t even been mentioned, internally within the group.
“No it doesn’t hurt,” Wane said. “We’ve not mentioned it because I’ve reviewed every game I’ve been involved in throughout my career, and that’s the one we haven’t reviewed because there was no point: it wasn’t us.
“They played really well, they enjoyed the victory and rammed it down our throats but we were playing a different Wakefield team – they can turn on the skill when they want to – but this time we are also a different team.
“There were huge extenuating circumstances going on; when they came in from the warm-up that day I knew we were going to get beaten – although not by 62 points.
“They won’t think they’ve beaten a Wigan team that was busted – they beat a Wigan team full stop,” he continued.
“It’s just what happens with us when we get beaten – and it’s a compliment in a way. Our players are just motivated to win this weekend.”
Wane did admit he was close to asking for the game to be postponed – but said it was too close to kick-off when he revealed the enormity of their problems.
“Yes, we were close – but it was close to the game,” he said. “It was when they came in from the warm-up; they were white and they looked ill.
“If I’d seen that the day before I’d have tried to have call it off – it was that bad.”
Wane also provided a pessimistic outlook on Joel Tomkins’ knee problem, revealing he is now set to undergo surgery – with the Warriors coach unsure when he will return.
“Joel Tomkins is struggling with his knee and it’s not looking good. It could be a long, long time before we see Joel again. He’s going for another scan on both knees on Thursday and I’ll have more idea then – but it’s not looking good.
The Warriors coach will hand out potential debuts to both Kyle Shelford and Macauley Davies this weekend in light of the club’s injury problems, too – and new signing Frank-Paul Nu’uausala will arrive early next week and could debut against Leeds Rhinos next Friday.
