World Club Challenge: Wigan star Joel Tomkins vows to cope without Sean O'Loughlin
Thursday 19 February 2015 17:08, UK
Wigan second row Joel Tomkins is determined to meet the challenge of facing Brisbane Broncos in the World Cup Challenge without influential captain Sean O'Loughlin.
The 32-year-old O'Loughlin will be missing for six weeks after hobbling out of Wigan's 24-16 Super League win over Huddersfield last Friday and undergoing knee surgery.
John Bateman is expected to deputise for O'Loughlin at the DW Stadium, and Tomkins is confident the Super League side will cope without one of their star performers.
"It's unfortunate for Lockers," Tomkins said. "It's something we've got to deal with.
It's unfortunate for Lockers. It's something we've got to deal with.
"I think you saw at the weekend when Lockers went off and John Bateman took over the position what a good job he did for us.
"There's a strong possibility I'll be moved back into the pack," he said. "I've enjoyed the first couple of weeks.
"It was a bit alien to me playing on the left-hand side because I usually play on the right and it took a bit of getting used to but I've managed to get over the line a couple of times.
"I genuinely mean it when I say I don't mind where I play, as long as I'm in the team."
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