Wane eyes final flurry as focus switches to Super-8s

After yesterday’s press conference unveiling Wane’s successors, Adrian Lam and Shaun Edwards, focus switches back to their league campaign.

Second-placed Wigan can wedge a three point gap between themselves and Castleford with victory, and would secure their place in the play-offs.

And departing coach Wane said: “I can’t put into words how much I want to win something, but if I’d have signed a five-year contract here I’d have had the same attitude.

“I’ve won everything while I’ve been here but I want to win it again and no more than this season.

“If we did before I left that would be fantastic but if I’d been here another 10 years I’d be the same.”

The 53-year-old is expecting a tough test against Castleford tonight, and Wane stated the Warriors must be at their best to record a victory in their opening Super 8’s encounter.

“They’ve turned us over a few times in the last few years so we need to be very good to beat them. We beat them at home earlier this year but I think we’ll be dealing with a different Castleford team this time,” he said.

“I like how they play and it’s always a tough game so we have to be very good to beat them. It’s a game we need to win and we know you need t be very switched on with Cas. They’re hard to play against, hard to defend against.

“It’s game on, very tough game, very important. It’s going to be a really tight game. They run the ball hard and they test you with their plays.”

Wigan will be boosted with the returns of George Williams and Ryan Sutton from injury, while Ben Flower is in line to make his 150th Warriors appearance.

“He’s been a great servant. He’s been our best middle for many years and I rate him very highly.” Wane said

“To play consistently tough like he does for 150 games at a club where we ask a lot of our middles. He can’t attack for a set and have a set off defending. When you’re on there you’re working hard and 150 games is a fantastic effort. I’m really pleased for him and it’s given us an added reason to win this game.”

Meanwhile, Willie Isa says the focus will be on themselves as they eye a Grand Final tilt.

“We just need to get our own backyard in order and worry about ourselves. Otherwise we’ll get blown away if we concentrate on them,” he said.

“There are very few games where teams have actually beaten us. Most of the times it’s something we’ve put on ourselves - our fault. And we can’t afford to do that against good teams. Cas’ are the first one in the 8s and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”