Peet Previews Warrington

• Matt Peet spoke to the press ahead of Friday’s Round 9 clash against Warrington Wolves.
• Peet: “They’re the form team, with a great playing group and experienced coaching staff. I think they’re a real high quality team.”
• Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors, Friday 14th April, 8pm K.O. Get your tickets HERE.

Matt Peet says he’s not surprised with how well Warrington have been playing so far this season, ahead of his side’s trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday (8pm K.O.).

Peet’s men visit the league leaders on the back of four straight Super League victories, after beating rivals St Helens on Good Friday. On last week’s win and it’s effect, Peet said: “We took time to congratulate the team and the club. Both teams played their part and it was really pleasing to get the result. I suppose it shows that, on a big occasion like that, we were able to produce. I think it’s onward now.

“I don’t think if we’d have been beaten or had won last week, it would have had any bearings on this week. It’s going to be all out and a big test.

“I’d say the players are more excited about this week’s game than the fact that they won last week. I said it before, we pride ourselves on how we are and how we act. It would have been important this week, whichever way the result had gone, that we were prepared for the best of Warrington in another intense game. I think these are the games the players want to be a part of.”

Warrington are the in-form team in the opening rounds of Super League so far, with Daryl Powell’s men winning all eight of their games. Matt Peet said he isn’t surprised by Warrington’s good start and how they’ve been playing, saying: “I knew they were going to be a lot better this season. I’m not one for making predictions, but I’m not surprised to see them playing really well. They’ve got players like George Williams and, with the pack they’ve assembled, they’ve got a quality team. The coaches know how to construct winning teams and that’s what they’ve done.

“I think they’re the form team in the competition, with an outstanding playing group and experienced coaching staff who have done it all. I don’t think it was ever in doubt that Daryl Powell would get them playing at some point, credit to him, the board and the playing group. I think they’re a real high quality team who showed last weekend that they’ve got a lot of grit and determination as well.”

Peet will be without a number of players for this week’s squad, with Mike Cooper confirmed out for the season, as well as Morgan Smithies being unavailable through suspension.

“As far as the squad and how we deal with it, that’s what the squad’s built and designed for, to stand these sorts of tests.” he said

“One bright light is Harvie Hill, who’s been playing really well on dual reg and on loan, most recently at Toulouse. He’s someone who’ll be involved in the coming months and we look forward to it, that’s what it’s all about. From a coaching point of view, it’s great to try and work it out. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes it doesn’t quite come off. But as long as we work our hardest to give them clear messages that we trust our players, I think more often than not our lads will get the job done.”

Players across the Wigan squad have featured on-loan and dual reg to maintain match fitness and game experience, with Joe Shorrocks recently returning from Leigh and producing a string of outstanding performances, including a Man of the Match effort against St Helens last week.

“It’s really important. John Duffy is doing a fantastic job, you’ve always got eyes on the next games and Joe Shorrocks is a good advert of how that works.”, Peet said, “We expect the same in the coming months with the likes of Junior Nsemba, Harvie Hill, Tom Forber. These lads are going to play a part and I look forward to when they do. They’ve got to be ready physically and mentally.

“We know what we’ve got in our squad and it’s just about getting the timing right and the opportunity when it presents itself is the right one, for the right player.”

Don’t miss our Round 9 visit to Warrington Wolves! Tickets available in-store at Robin Park Arena and online HERE.