Peet Previews Hull KR
- Matt Peet previews the Warriors Round 1 Super League opener against Hull KR this Saturday.
- Peet: “I think this will be our strongest side.”
- Watch more pre-match preview from Matt Peet on Wigan TV HERE.
Head Coach Matt Peet says he hopes pre-season preparations can translate on the pitch against Hull KR.
It’s deja-vu for the Warriors as they make the trip to East Yorkshire for Round 1 for the second year in a row, with Matt Peet singing the praises of Saturday’s opponents ahead of what is expected to be a terrific crowd inside Sewell Group Craven Park.
“There’s always a good atmosphere at Hull KR as far as I’m concerned” he said.
“Paul Lakin seems to be doing a fantastic job. He speaks with great passion and pride and all the noises coming out of there are very positive at the moment. It’s hard to read into the tactics too much from their games so far but their individuals are very exciting. I think both the half backs are both fantastic talents and have, rightly so, knocked on the international door in the last few years.”
He added: “Their left edge is as experienced and as strong as anything in the Super League and they’ve signed a new right centre. There’s plenty of talent there.”
The Warriors have announced a fully fit squad for the fixture, with the exceptions of Ryan Hampshire and Iain Thornley who are returning from long-term injuries.
On the squad available he said: “No complaints. Ryan and Iain are coming toward the end of long term injury, but other than that we’re healthy. Ryan’s looking at mid to late April, with Iain about a month in front of that.
“I think this is what will be our strongest side. We’ve got strong competition for places, I think there’s some close calls particularly on the bench. Whether it’s our best team is yet to be seen, its certainly the one I think gives us the best chance of wining this week”.
Wigan will be looking to build on their pre-season regime which saw three games and the climbing of Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), with Peet hoping the team cohesion will be the same come gameday. He said: “I think we’ve executed our plan very well.
“Particularly the last few weeks I think we’ve done very well. We’ll be judged on how we perform on Saturday but I left our meetings and sessions today feeling that the players are prepared and I’m just hoping it can translate on the pitch.”
Saturday’s fixture will see Harry Smith don the iconic Wigan number 7 jersey for the first time, following the retirement of Tommy Leuluai at the end of last season. Peet says that Smith’s journey to the number exhibits the club philosophy to a tee: “There’s no ceiling for younger players” he said.
“It’s not just a squad number, not at a Club like this. We’ve got a great history and you don’t give those numbers away lightly. I think Harry understands that and he deserves it. We as a club are really proud to give it to him and we’re confident he’s going to run with it.
“The way he’s applied himself in training and developing himself as a person suggests he’s going to be a good 7 for Wigan”.
