Wigan Warriors’ Luke Thompson on facing former club St Helens in derby…
Luke Thompson Prepares for Emotional Return to St Helens in Good Friday Derby
Wigan Warriors’ prop forward Luke Thompson is set to face his former club, St Helens, for the first time this Good Friday at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Thompson, who began his career at Saints and made 164 appearances between 2013 and 2020, joined Wigan on a four-year deal ahead of the 2024 season after a stint in the NRL with Canterbury Bulldogs. (wigantoday.net, loverugbyleague.com)
Despite the personal significance of the match, Thompson is determined to maintain a professional focus. He acknowledged the potential for some light-hearted banter from the home fans but emphasized the importance of concentrating on the task at hand. “I’ve not really thought too much about the emotion of it,” Thompson stated. “I’m just doing my job week-to-week here. I’ll try not to get sucked into too many emotions and stuff, I’ll probably cop a bit of stick but I’ve got a job to do and I’ll just focus on that.”
Thompson’s return to Super League has been marked by a successful first season with Wigan, including a Challenge Cup victory at Wembley and the Super League Trophy. As he prepares for the derby, he reflects on the electric atmosphere of Good Friday matches and the significance of playing in front of passionate crowds. “It’s just a great spectacle, isn’t it? Good Friday is definitely one you want to play in. The atmosphere is electric, you feed off it no matter which side you’re on so I’ll just look forward to getting out there, getting amongst it and hopefully we can come out on the right side of the scoreline,” Thompson remarked.
With both teams in strong form, the upcoming derby is anticipated to be a thrilling encounter. Thompson’s experience and leadership will be crucial as Wigan aims to continue their momentum and secure a vital win against their arch-rivals.
Leave a Reply