Peet previews Cup Quarter-Final
- Matt Peet spoke to the press head of Sunday’s Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Final at Castleford Tigers.
- Peet: “The opportunity to make some more memories for this group and for our supporters is a huge incentive.”
- Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors, Sunday 14th April, 3pm KO.
Matt Peet spoke to the press ahead of Wigan Warriors’ Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Final tie against Castleford Tigers.
The Warriors will be looking to continue their Challenge Cup run at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle after defeating Sheffield Eagles in the Round of 16. Bevan French scored a hat-trick amongst 44 points at the DW Stadium for the Cherry and Whites, who also come into this weekend’s tie off the back of a 40-12 win away at Leigh Leopards in the Betfred Super League.
Speaking on the importance of the Challenge Cup competition to the Club, Peet said: “I think our whole history revolves around this competition, to be honest. Most of our best memories as a Club and then each individual around it, I think most of us look back to trips to Wembley or more recently Tottenham.
“The opportunity to make some more memories for this group and for our supporters is a huge incentive.”
Having won the Challenge Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022, the Warriors haven’t played at Wembley since 2017. Peet sees a potential trip to the ground as a big motive for the team: “It’s something we talk about as it’s important the players know this isn’t just a regular game – they’re two games away from a huge occasion and it’s an opportunity we’re determined to take.”
A visit to The Mend-A-Hose Jungle stands between the Warriors and the Semi-Finals, with the Tigers off the back of an impressive 36-24 win at home to Salford Red Devils last time out. It was a first Super League victory of the season for Craig Lingard’s side, who dispatched Batley Bulldogs in the prior cup round to reach the last eight.
Peet acknowledged the trip to Castleford is always a difficult one, regardless of the opposition’s form going into the game: “Everyone knows Castleford away is one of those grounds and one of those fixtures that has the potential to upset any team, and that’s the same whether they’re flying high or having a difficult period – it’s never straight forward.
“The fact is their last performance was a strong one, a win, and it’s knock-out for them as well. We’ve got to concentrate, we’ve got to block out some of the noise coming out of there – I understand it, but from our perspective we can’t let it affect our preparation.”
On Castleford’s victory over Salford, Peet added: “Their left edge got a lot of joy and was very direct. They played some really good rugby league and got attacking shapes. I think with their two halfbacks in (Jacob) Miller and (Danny) Richardson they’re very talented – both take the line on and have a kicking game. I think that’s where the threat comes – through (Joe) Westerman and those outstanding halves.”
Peet added: “They’ve got some big athletic outside backs as well, so we’ll be expecting to be challenged. Whenever you go to Castleford you end up defending quite a bit of attacking shape because of the nature of the pitch, so we’re going to have to be at our best to turn them away.”
The trip to the Jungle will be the second in as many months for the Warriors, who travelled to Castleford for the season opener. Peet and his side came away with a 32-4 victory on a wet and windy night, but he expects a different challenge this time around: “I think it’s a game in its own right,” he said.
“That was Round 1 in really poor conditions and both teams now have probably seen glimpses of what they’re capable of, so I think it’s more important the momentum that both teams have built since then. I don’t think that will have a big effect on this fixture – I think it will be two teams desperate to win.”
Tickets for Sunday’s game remain available online HERE. The only place you can watch the game is at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
Matt Peet is sponsored by Warriors Lotto Agents.
By Harvey Orgill.
