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Wigan Warriors coach on ‘fantastic’ Willie Isa with replacement admission made

Wigan Warriors' Willie Isa

Wigan Warriors coach Sean O’Loughlin has spoken about the impact Willie Isa had at the club with a recruitment admission made following his retirement.

Isa called time on his impressive career in January with the 36-year-old’s decision coming as somewhat of a shock given that he had recently signed a one-year deal to play on in 2025.

He had not played for the club since April when he suffered a horror ankle fracture and dislocation in the Challenge Cup tie against Castleford, something that led to a lengthy rehab with plans made for the veteran to return to the field soon.

However, that opportunity didn’t come with Isa confirming his retirement prior to the Warriors’ friendly against Leeds Rhinos – bringing an end to his time with Wigan, whom he joined in 2016.

Wigan were led in that game by assistant coach Sean O’Loughlin and he spoke post-match about the impact the New Zealand-born forward had during his 200+ appearances at the club.

“He’s just a very good bloke,” O’Loughlin stated.

“He’s been a fantastic player for us. He’s brilliant on the field but he’s massive for the culture of the club and the standards.”

Wigan Warriors coach on ‘fantastic’ Willie Isa with replacement admission made

Isa started his career with Penrith Panthers but made the move to England in 2011, featuring for Castleford Tigers and Widnes Vikings before making the switch to Wigan Warriors.

During his time with the club, he helped them win all there was to win but O’Loughlin was keen to state his off-field impact as being just as, if not more, important than his on-field efforts.

He explained: “You obviously want to be a great team on the pitch but you want to be known as a great club as well, he ticks both sides of that for us.

“He drives standards very highly, he is a moral compass for the club almost and for the team, he drives a lot of things that they do well.

“All the boys look up to him, he’s going to be missed but on the other side they’re buzzing for him that he’s found something that he wants to do and go test himself in another field.”

As for his on-field impact, O’Loughlin labelled Isa as a “pleasure to play with” noting:”He was just a non-nonsense player. Give him the ball and he’ll run hard and he was probably one of the best defensive back-rowers I’ve played with. He’s quick, he moves well and he’s someone who taught that really well.”

Whilst Wigan have one of the deepest and strongest forward packs in Super League, his exit does leave the Warriors with both cap space and an overseas quota spot meaning there is scope for recruitment.

When asked, O’Loughlin confirmed that he expects head coach Matt Peet and CEO Kris Radlinski to be ‘weighing up opportunities’, something that will excite Wigan fans.

“I don’t know the answer to that at this time,” O’Loughlin responded when asked about a replacement.

“It’s probably one for Matty (Peet) and Rads (Kris Radlinski), they speak regularly about who is coming in and going out but if something opens up then I’m sure they’ll be weighing up opportunities.”

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