Peet: Happy with our desire
- Matt Peet praised Wigan’s defence as they put on a great display to progress to the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi Finals.
- Peet: “I was happy with our desire, our desire to defend our line and work for one another. I thought that’s what stood out today.”
- FT | Wakefield Trinity 6-36 Wigan Warriors.
Matt Peet said he was ‘happy with our desire’ as the Warriors put in a big defensive display to take the win over Wakefield Trinity in the Betfred Challenge Cup.
Reacting at full time, Peet said: “It was what we expected in terms of a challenge. We know looking at our past record here, combined with the way that Wakefield are playing that we were stepping into a game where we wouldn’t have it all our own way. They’re a team that can test you at any point.
“I was happy with our desire, our desire to defend our line and work for one another and work for your mate. I thought that is what stood out about us, we looked like a group of friends playing rugby together, that is what we’re aspiring to be and I think that is what got us the result in the end combined with some flashes of brilliance.”
He added: “We’re a team who pride ourselves on growing into games, being fit and the pace we have means that when teams begin to grow tired – we are a threat. I thought we went forward first and started the second half playing direct, we got some joy out of that so it was pleasing to see.”
Despite the scoreline, Wakefield asked a lot of questions of the Warriors: “I’m confident that our team and backline can handle pressure and adversity, much like when they kicked two 40/20s in the first half, you lose a player in the first half – it’s all about your mindset and how you want to tackle the problem.”
Iain Thornley left the field in the first half, updating on the winger the Head Coach said: “Iain got a bang on the shoulder, he was in a lot of pain at half time but he wasn’t fit to come out for the second half but we aren’t sure. We’ll get that assessed quickly. All good other than that and we know this time of the year will test your squad.”
Peet finished off by praising his full back Jai Field, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the victory: “His pace makes him stand out, but he’s an intelligent player, there’s other fast players but his intelligence and his ability to work into areas where you wouldn’t expect him sets him apart. We’ve had great support players at this Club in the past and it’s about intuition, instinct but desire. He wants to be in the picture.”
“He’s growing all the time, his understanding of his teammates and opposition. He works very hard on himself physically, I can only see him growing.”
The Warriors have been drawn to face St Helens in the Semi Finals of the Betfred Challenge Cup following the result. See information on the full draw HERE.
