Peet previews Castleford
- Head Coach Matt Peet looks ahead to Friday’s Betfred Super League Round 14 clash at Castleford.
- Peet: “They’ve got a few wins and they look like a team that’s on the up.”
- Tickets and travel are still available for the trip HERE with all the information HERE.
Matt Peet spoke to the press on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Friday’s Betfred Super League Round 14 game away to Castleford Tigers.
The Warriors come into the game as the newly-crowned holders of the Betfred Challenge Cup, having defeated Warrington Wolves by 18 points to 8 last time out.
Reflecting on the team’s performance to reach victory at Wembley Stadium, Peet said: “There’s some things we did well last week that we’ll look to replicate, and some areas which we want to improve. We’re a young team, we’re a young coaching staff and there’s no reason why we can’t have better performances ahead of us.”
On looking to keep the performance levels high as his side turns focus to a busy Betfred Super League period, Peet said: “We did rest six players the week before Wembley, so that means there’s six lads who are relatively well rested. We’ve got a week off coming in a couple of weeks, so I think we can see a bit of daylight there.
“There’s a few things we’ve done that way – the way we practice, treating our players very individually – that means some lads will train harder than others over the next few weeks. It’s all part and parcel of running a successful team and that’s the way we’ll do it. I don’t want to gloss over it because it is a challenge, as is the congestion later in the year, but it’s all things that we plan ahead for. We have got a strong squad and a strong Academy so it’s about trying to strike that blend.”
Peet’s side at Wembley featured several Academy products, notably including Zach Eckersley, who scored the game’s opening try in just his fifth senior appearance for the Warriors. Speaking on the other young players in the Warriors’ ranks that will be ready to make their own impact, Peet said: “I think that’s what happens – once they see the likes of Junior (Nsemba), Zach (Eckersley), Brad O’Neill and Harvie Hill proving they can do it, it gives them confidence they can do it themselves, and rightfully so.
“There’s opportunities to be had, and those lads should be excited and motivated for the coming months.”
As for this week’s opponents, the Warriors are set to face Castleford for the fourth time this season – the third of which at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
On Craig Lingard’s side, Peet said: “I sense a bit of optimism in them in the last month or so. I think they’ve got Louis and Innes Senior playing well, they’ve signed Corey Hall and Tex Hoy – you can see what they’re getting after in terms of a hard working, very athletic outside back line.
“I think there’s certainly a bit of positivity around the club and credit to Craig (Lingard), they’ve got a few wins and they look like a team that’s on the up.”
One of Peet’s Challenge Cup winning squad who will miss Friday’s trip to Castleford is Jai Field, who has picked up a hamstring injury for his efforts. On the full-back, Peet said: “Jai’s pulled his hamstring. He pulled his hamstring very early in that game – we were aware of it and we know just how brave he played during the Final. He’s had a scan and we await some different opinions on it, but he’s going to be out for a few weeks.”
The Warriors return home to The Brick Community Stadium next Friday 21st June as we celebrate our Armed Forces when we host London Broncos. Tickets can be purchased online HERE.
By Harvey Orgill.
