Tom Davies: ‘We want to play at our best for Shaun Wane’
Wigan winger Tom Davies has admitted that coach Shaun Wane’s surprise announcement that he will be leaving the club will only motivate the club going forward.
The 21-year-old made his debut under Wane in 2017, scoring in his first game against Huddersfield Giants for a 16-all draw. He was rewarded after a successful debut year and was handed the number two shirt in 2018, scoring six tries and making the most metres for the team this season.
Davies, who is tied up with Wigan until 2023, admitted that the news of Wane leaving will not distract the side and will only motivate the Warriors.
“It was a massive motivation booster when he announced it as we now want to go harder,” admitted Davies.
“We want to be more intense and we want to finish on a high. Due to how much Waney has given to the club and players, we want to play for him more. He has done a lot as a person and a coach.
“Waney gave me my debut and gave me a place in the team and has looked after me. I have huge respect for him.
“It’s not a distraction. When you’re out there everything goes out of mind and you’re not thinking about it. If anything, it’s a motivator as we want to play our best for him.”
The Wigan academy product was named in Wigan’s Challenge Cup final squad against Hull FC in 2017 but pulled out due to injury, watching his side lose at Wembley from the sidelines.
“We got to the final last year and I think losing in finals is the most heart-breaking thing as sportsperson,” he said.
“It was a massive moment, but we didn’t turn up on day. We want to go one further and get there. I’m confident in our team that we can do it know as I know what we’re capable of.”
Wigan will face Steve Price’s Warrington Wolves this Saturday at the Halliwell Jones Stadium where the sides find themselves just two games away from the biggest stage in the competition – Wembley.
The two teams meet again just two weeks after they clashed at Newcastle’s Magic Weekend, with Wigan showing a dominant display and claiming the two points with a comfortable victory at St James’ Park.
“We’ve done a lot of previewing and looked at how they play,” said Davies.
“We played them two weeks ago so they’re still fresh in our minds. I think being a Challenge Cup fixture we always go up another level. It’s a big game and we’ve trained hard in the gym and field so we’re looking forward to it.
“We’re not taking anything lightly. We have to show up and play to our best.
“If we don’t perform then we’re not in the cup. It’s a make or break and a season definer. We want to win a few trophies.”