Peet previews Wakefield

• Matt Peet looks ahead to the Warriors Quarter Final tie in his weekly press conference.
• Peet: “We get excited about playing at places like that but we know it’s a challenge.”
• Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors, Sunday 10th April, Be Well Support Stadium, 2:30pm.

Matt Peet previewed Sunday’s Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Final tie with Wakefield Trinity in his weekly press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking ahead of the Quarter Final tie, Peet said: “It’s exciting, I take every game as a privilege, as do the players but when it’s knockout, sudden death and against a team such as Wakefield it’s very exciting.”

“We like the switch in competitions. It hardens you to that knockout mentality and realistically we’re preparing for our best performance every week and everyone is searching for that 80-minute performance to show the best of themselves. As far as weeks go, you don’t come in and think ‘oh god it’s challenge cup, it’s knockout’ it’s about us improving and we feel that if we continue to improve and learn on a daily basis then we will be tough to beat.”

On their opposition this week, Wakefield Trinity, Peet said: “They’re a really good team, they’re a team you would pay to watch. I think they’re a team that you know can trouble you at any point, they’ve got really good style, class all over the field and I think the reason they don’t always finish higher in the league is because they don’t have the depth but if they have their best players on the field, they’re a match for anybody.

“When the style of play and the atmosphere combine it’s a really powerful thing and it’s our job to try and weather that and stifle it and play our brand. We get excited about playing at places like that but we know it’s a challenge.”

On squad depth, the Head Coach said: “We’ve got a good squad, we knew from the start of the year that we’d strengthened in the backline and it’s proving a good job. Just at the time where we get some potential bangs and bruises, with what has happened to Kai, that’s where the strength of your Academy and recruitment, and your squad depth, is tested. We embrace these times, we pride ourselves on how we deal with it.”

Finally, Peet spoke on the open training session held at Robin Park Arena earlier in the week: “It was superb and we’re going to do it more. The fans are a part of the Club and a massive part of the team, to keep them at arms length is not something we want to be about. We want to welcome them and we want them to feel like if we enjoy success, we want them to feel part of it.

“The lads are well aware that they play for a Club with a passionate fan base, a passionate Rugby League town but I think it’s important to bridge the gap sometimes and forge the relationship with individuals – we had people here on Monday from different charities, schools, Community Clubs. They’re our base, the strength of this Club is the Community and it’s important that we join that back up as often as we can.”

Tickets for Sunday’s game against Wakefield remain on sale until 3pm on Friday 8th April – get all the info on this week’s Challenge Cup game, including travel and tickets HERE.