Sean O’Loughlin is hoping Wigan Warriors can win the World Club Challenge for a fifth time when they take on the Sydney Roosters on Sunday. No side has won the annual showdown between the reigning Super League and NRL champions on more occasions than the Warriors, who claimed their fourth success following their 22-6 victory over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2017.
O’Loughlin captained Wigan to that victory two years ago and he is eyeing a repeat performance at the DW Stadium this time around. “There aren’t a lot of stars on the badge, so the chance to add one is special,” the 36-year-old told Wigan Today. “Whenever you get a chance to play in these games, you get a buzz – not so much the captaincy, but just to be involved. “The Challenge Cups and Grand Finals are big, but you don’t get many chances to win the World Club Challenge, so it has a special feel to it.”
Related: Warriors Sweat On Sarginson Fitness
The forward, who will become the first player to captain Wigan to two World Club Challenge titles if Adrian Lam’s side claim the spoils on Sunday, also feels the Warriors will benefit from their previous experiences in big games. “In these games, there’s an element of our lads giving them too much respect sometimes,” O’Loughlin added. “I think if you’ve not played international there’s the fear you can put them on a pedestal. “But we’ve got a lot of lads who’ve played in these games as well as internationals and so there’s nothing to fear.”
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now
