Tierney out to make Wigan spot his own
Lewis Tierney says he is ready to make the Wigan fullback spot his own ahead of the new Super League season.
Tierney, the son of rugby league great Jason Robinson, will be given a chance to shine in the Wigan first-team with returning full back Sam Tomkins ruled out until Easter through knee surgery.
Tierney has had limited opportunities during his short career at Wigan, having had a spell at Workington Town on dual-registration in 2015.
However, Tierney told Love Rugby League that he deserves his chance after the hard work he has put in, and hopes he can repay the faith that Shaun Wane has given to him.
“I had it tough last year, with me and a few of the boys going up to Workington. Now we’ve been patient and the time has come to take our opportunities and I’m looking forward to getting the shirt on,” he said.
“Obviously I want more game time, and when I get into the team, I want to keep that shirt until Sam gets back. I just want to do my best, I’m training hard and I trust my coaches. I just want to be on the park.”
The return of Tomkins from the New Zealand Warriors is something that has been welcomed by Tierney and has said that he has loved having Tomkins around the training ground, as he has been able to ask the England international to help with his game.
“I’ve been learning a lot from Sam, it’s good to come in and get that knowledge and peck his head for a few hours every day,” Tierney said.
“It’s really good to have him back. You don’t have the opportunity at other clubs to come in and ask one of the best fullbacks in the world a million questions so it’s been massive for me.”
Following two consecutive Grand Final defeats, Wigan head coach Shaun Wane opted for a change off regime in their off-season from a training camp in America, to a military-based camp in England.
Tierney admitted that despite it being tough going, his Wigan teammates are raring to go against Leigh on Sunday, then to go one step further in 2016.
“We’ve got a tight bubble here at Wigan, we trust our coaches and listen to what they’re saying,” he said.
“It’s been different this year, as we changed it up from last year, but all the boys are looking fit and looking forward to Sunday.”