Peet: Different kind of win

• Matt Peet paid tribute to Va’aiga Tuigamala following his sides win over Huddersfield Giants.
• Peet: “Tuigamala encapsulates what a good Wigan team should be in that he was a good man on and off the field and he was entertaining.”
• FT | Wigan Warrior 22-12 Huddersfield Giants.

Matt Peet dedicated the Warriors victory to the late Va’aiga Tuigamala on Thursday evening as his side beat Huddersfield Giants 22-12 at the DW Stadium.

“Tuigamala encapsulates what a good Wigan team should be in that he was a good man on and off the field and he was entertaining, he was formidable and he was one of those players that people would pay to watch,” Peet said.

“Tonight’s performance should be dedicated to him and the commitment that the lads showed to one another, although it might not have been the most entertaining, it showed what we’re capable of. We continue to try and be brave with the ball, and to entertain, which is what we spoke about in tribute to Tuigamala.”

For Inga ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7IGxjJVAaL

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) February 24, 2022

Summarising the win, he added: “I’d say it was a different kind of win. We expected a battle tonight and I think that’s what we got. It was a tough win against a tough team.”

Cade Cust was forced from the field for a head injury assessment after just one minute, but the Warriors boss was happy with the way his team adapted: “I was really impressed with the spell when Cade Cust left the field. I thought the players changed into position, adapted really well and you couldn’t really tell. I thought that was a positive sign, it shows that we can handle adversity.”

Peet was also full of praise for Tommy Leuluai and John Bateman in a hard fought win. On Leuluai, he said: “What he brings to this team is immeasurable on and off the field, he is a leader, attack and defence and makes a lot of unselfish actions. He’s got class, you see him come up with big plays in big games and the way he guides our young players, I feel honoured to work with him.”

On Bateman, he added: “A bit like Tommy he comes up with the big plays at the right time, sometimes you feel like something is going to go against you and John comes up with a big tackle or a big play. He’s got a strong feel for the game, when something is needed to spark the team, I feel like that is when John is at his best – he can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and I think the last two weeks he has done that. He has a competitive nature, he’s another player who I think guides the team in the right direction through his actions.”