O’Loughlin unsure about ClubCall

Wigan captain Sean O’Loughlin says the ClubCall system gives their opponents extra motivation in the play-off semi-final.

The Warriors earned the right to pick their last four opponents with a comfortable win over Catalan next weekend, and they will face a choice of either Catalan/Leeds or Warrington/Hull.

It’s the fourth season of the ClubCall system, and in each year to date, the choosing team has picked the lowest ranked team to play.

Writing in his blog on the club’s official website, O’Loughlin said: “This time next week we will know who we are playing having had the chance to pick who we play in week three using Club Call. 

“The players don’t really get too involved with this kind of thing, we just leave it to the coaching staff really. Each time it’s happened, so far the top team have picked the team that’s finished lowest in the league and I think we’ll just do the same really. 

“Personally, I don’t think it gives us an advantage, whoever you pick it gives them extra motivation and whoever you don’t pick may think that you are worried about playing them.”

Only Leeds, in 2009, have gone on to win Super League after earning the ClubCall pick. They chose Catalan, winning 27-20, before seeing off St Helens at Old Trafford.

Last year, Warrington selected Leeds, only to be beaten 26-24 at home to the Rhinos, who went on to win the Grand Final.

In 2010, St Helens picked Huddersfield, and won 42-22, before going on to lose the Grand Final to Wigan.

This season’s ClubCall announcement will be made at the DW Stadium on Sunday evening.