Wigan legend Sean O’Loughlin could have had his pick of NRL clubs

Correspondent

Wigan coach Adrian Lam has revealed the retiring Sean O’Loughlin could have had his pick of NRL clubs at the height of his career.

The 37-year-old will hang up his boots at the end of the season following a stellar 19-year career.

O’Loughlin, who has made 457 appearances for his hometown club, earned 36 caps for Great Britain and England as well as captaining his country.

Lam, who is still assistant to Australia head coach Mal Meninga, says O’Loughlin’s coaching role with the Warriors will be finalised at the end of the season and has also revealed that his captain could have had his pick of the NRL clubs at the height of his career.

“I know for a fact that every NRL coach inquired about trying to get him over to play in their team in Australia,” Lam said.

READ: Legend, warrior & friend: Tributes for Wigan’s retiring captain Sean O’Loughlin

O’Loughlin is fit for Thursday’s Super League play-off semi-final against Hull but is not guaranteed a place in the team, according to coach Lam.

“He was fit last week,” Lam said. “We made a decision late to leave him out.

“He’s been training with us for the last three weeks, he’s been good to go since then.

“We’ll make the decision on Thursday, probably the morning of the game.

“The squad has been going well and it’s difficult to get into that 17 at the moment. That’s the way we wanted it to be and Lockers understands that.

“We’ll weigh all that up and make a decision.”

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