Wigan coach Shaun Wane has been having doubts over his decision to quit rugby league but says there is no going back.
The 54-year-old will end a 30-year spell as player and coach with his hometown club after Saturday’s Super League Grand Final against Warrington at Old Trafford.
Wane, who has won five trophies in six years as Wigan head coach, will take up a role as high performance coach with the Scottish Rugby Union but admits there are times when he wonders if he has made the right decision.
“You have doubts,” Wane said at the Grand Final media day at Old Trafford. “You have good days at work when you think, ‘what have I done?’
📸 Images from today’s Grand Final Media day!🍒⚪️ pic.twitter.com/h20VSeEXyu — Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) October 8, 2018
“But that’s natural. I made the call and I’ll take it on the chin now. I’m excited about the new challenge.
“But at the minute I’m just obsessed with work this week and at the end of the week I’ll move on to something else.”
Wane is due to start work in Scotland on October 22 and intends to throw himself into his new role but concedes he will miss Wigan.
“I do get the chance to have a break but I won’t be doing,” he said. “I’ll be watching other sports and trying to improve and get better, probably the day after, once I finish celebrating or commiserating.
And we’re off! 🎤 pic.twitter.com/lhMERvn5Pc — Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) October 8, 2018
“I’m going to miss the players, interacting with the players every day, I’ll miss the club but I think I’ve done my bit.
“I wanted to make a difference and I feel like I’ve done that, I’ve won things for my town. I feel I’ve put my stamp on something, however big or small it is.”
Sam Tomkins, John Bateman and Ryan Sutton are also bowing out of the club after Saturday’s game, along with backroom members of staff Mark Bitcon and Matty Peet.
Wigan are hoping to provide a fitting send-off with victory over Steve Price’s Warrington.
Leeds have managed in recent years to send Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire out on a winning note at Old Trafford but Wane does not believe in fate.
“I don’t because, if that was the case, St Helens would have won and Jon Wilkin would have gone out on a high,” Wane said.
“Steve is not bothered about whether I go out happy or not. He wants Warrington to win and I fully understand that.
Ahead of his final game as @WiganWarriorsRL head coach, Shaun Wane and several of his players are speaking to the media at the #GrandFinal press conference 🍒⚪️ pic.twitter.com/c8x8l7rlXV — Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 8, 2018
“It’s just our own bubble. I won’t be talking about anything to do with me this week. It’s all about making sure our game plan is nailed.”
Wane was in tears after last Friday’s semi-final win over Castleford and he admits emotions could be running high on Saturday.
“Hopefully I’ll be a lot more controlled,” he said. “If and when we win, then I’m not bothered what happens.
“But before the game it’s all about game plan, focus, work and making sure we deliver what we promised.”
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