Peet: Never Lose Commitment

• Matt Peet spoke to the press following his side’s spirited win over Salford.
• Peet: “I’m loving the fact that we’re proving we’ve got that mindset to win in different kinds of games. It puts you through it as a coach but it’s worth it in the end.”
• Bevan French scored two tries, with a Toby King try seven minutes from time winning the game for the Warriors.

Matt Peet said he wants to make determination, resilience, and commitment the trademark of his team after a battling win over Salford at the DW Stadium.

Second half tries from Bevan French and Toby King helped secure the victory for the Warriors, with Harry Smith converting two crucial kicks from tight angles late on.

“There are things we can improve, particularly with the ball. But we can never ever lose that determination, fight, resilience, commitment to your mate at the side of you.” Peet said

“That has to become our trademark, that’s what makes you proud as a coach. You can improve fluency in attack, and we need to, but what you can’t do is give your team commitment and connection to one another. I thought the energy between the fans and the team in the last 20 minutes was where it needs to be and we need to make sure we get them on board earlier.

“We’ll have some great days here this season. I’m loving the fact that we’re proving we’ve got that mindset to win in different kinds of games. It puts you through it as a coach but it’s worth it in the end.”

Wigan have now won back-to-back Super League games against tough opposition, following on from last weeks win at Huddersfield. Peet said: “They’re pleasing results and they also teach you the lessons that win you big games.”

Peet rotated a number of his side through interchanges and player positions. On this, he said: “We lacked fluency with the ball. It was clear we needed to get Bevan in the game. I thought the changes would allow us to do that. Moving Bevan at that point, Salford were fatigued after a tough few weeks. I felt we were getting some dominance through the middle so I thought we could take advantage. I thought the combination between Harry Smith, Jai Field, and Bevan helped us do that.”

“It’s a mentality as well as skill set. You’ve got to be willing to play in different positions, the lads can click in a range of positions and it’s the way practice. Hopefully it pays off.”

Bevan French scored two tries, including one in the second half which ultimately turned the momentum of the game in Wigan’s favour. Peet said “He’s a talent. He works hard, the lads love him. I think quite often he’s at his most dangerous when he’s a man on man. I think particularly on his first try when our shape had fizzled out a little bit and he just expressed himself. He’s great to watch and as a fan, you love to watch him.”

Harry Smith converted four kicks out of a possible four, including two crucial ones to put Wigan into the lead. Peet said “I thought that his kicking was crucial. He works really hard and he looked really composed in his kicking, his technique was good. When you play the likes of Marc Sneyd, I thought Harry getting 100% was important.”

Sam Powell was brought on into the 13 role as an interchange, with Peet paying testament to the versatility of his players – “We needed a bit of fluency and as we put Morgan Smithies in the second row, I thought having three front rowers we weren’t quite getting our shape. Pow came on with a spring in his step and I thought Brad O’Neill had a very good game as well.

“Liam Farrell has a good feel for when the team needs that carry. He smashed behind the ruck and he’s just so fit in these kind of games.

“In the end, the fitter lads rise when the others are just doing okay, and I thought that’s what we saw from our lads tonight and Faz is probably the fittest man on the field.”