Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin admits he had one eye on World Cup
Tuesday 26 September 2017 10:58, UK
Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin says he 'had one eye' on the upcoming World Cup following the Warriors' early end to the Super League season.
The loose forward missed Wigan's last two games due to a calf strain, but the 2016 champions could not force their way into the play-offs following defeats against Castleford and Wakefield.
O'Loughlin admitted if the game against Wakefield was 'crucial' he would have played and his attention now turns to England's opening game of the World Cup against Australia on October 27th.
"We had one eye on the internationals," said O'Loughlin who was recently named in the Super League Dream team for the sixth time in his career.
"If I had played in that game, I'd have probably been another two or three weeks laid up. It was just doing the right thing."
Wigan's failure to reach the knockout stages of Super League for the first time since 2006 will now give O'Loughlin the chance to recover from his recent injury before international duty begins next month.
"The last few years I've been involved in the Grand Finals so it's strange watching the semis on the sideline," said O'Loughlin.
"It's a good opportunity to focus on the internationals. We train over in Manchester next week. It's a chance to go out and get some quality training done out on the field as a group.
"The 10-day training camp is a good opportunity to get everyone together and spend a bit of time together before we get a game under our belt. I think it will be invaluable for us.
The England captain remains out of contract for next season, despite missing just nine games for Wigan, but he is pleased with his form heading into the World Cup.
"I've been happy with the way I've played this year," added O'Loughlin.
"Injury wise, I've done pretty well this year, I've spent most of the time playing rather than on the sidelines which is always a good way of getting your form up."
