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Wigan Warriors star outlines goals ahead of ‘weird’ clash against former club

Wigan Warriors take on Oldham RLFC in a pre-season fixture this weekend with the game marking a return to his former club for one star.

Warriors forward Tyler Dupree was named Championship Young Player of the Year during his sole season with Oldham back in 2021 and the Wigan prop will line up against his old club again on Sunday.

In Wigan’s first game of the pre-season they will take on Sean Long’s side at Boundary Park with Matt Peet having already revealed that he intends to play a very experienced pack – of which Dupree will be a part of.

Dupree is in his second full pre-season with Wigan Warriors after signing for them from Salford midway through the 2023 season. Prior to that, Dupree had played at Widnes and Oldham as well as having loan periods at a number of other Championship sides during his time with Leeds Rhinos.

Previewing Sunday’s fixture, the England international has claimed that it will be a “little weird” to face the Roughyeds whom he has credited with restoring his love for the game.

The 24-year-old said: “Joining Oldham is when I started enjoying my rugby again so I owe the Club a lot for the happiness they brought back.

“To play against them will be a little weird, but I’ll be going there with respect for what they contributed to my career.”

Wigan Warriors forward keen to get ‘minutes in the tank’

- 14/01/2025 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League - Wigan Warriors Media Day - Robin Park, Wigan, England - Tyler Dupree.

Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

This weekend marks sees Wigan take it up a notch with their clash against Oldham set to be followed by a friendly against Leeds Rhinos for Ash Handley’s testimonial, whilst early February sees them begin their defence of the Challenge Cup trophy.

When speaking to club media, Dupree has explained how the pre-season has prepped Matt Peet’s side towards playing games and that they’re now ready for action.

“From the start of pre-season you build towards playing games,” he explained.

“Now we have a game our mind is focused on that, however, our week won’t change too much as the main goal is to get fitter, faster and stronger. We’ve prepared as we would for any other game as Oldham are respectable opponents who have signed well. It’s just good to be back preparing to play.”

Matt Peet previously revealed that Dupree would feature alongside the likes of Sam Walters, Kruise Leeming, Liam Byrne and Harvie Hill in a very strong pack but for Dupree, it’s just a case of getting back to business.

“Personally, it’s to get minutes in the tank,” he said.

“Everyone knows the first game of pre-season is tough as no matter how much running you’ve done through the off-season, nothing is the same as game fitness.

“We’re looking forward and excited for these friendlies ahead of Challenge Cup and Super League fixtures next month. We’re ready to get going and start building on a great year last season.”

After Wigan’s Round Three Challenge Cup tie on the weekend of the 8th and 9th of February, they will kick off the Super League campaign by hosting Leigh Leopards on Thursday 13th February.

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