* Matt Peet spoke to the press at the Totally Wicked Stadium ahead of Good Friday’s Betfred Super League clash against St Helens.
* Peet: “Whether both teams are flying high or having different seasons, it’s an occasion which sells itself because of the history behind it.”
* Watch highlights of previous Derby clashes against St Helens on Wigan TV HERE.
MATT PEET SPOKE TO THE PRESS AT THE TOTALLY WICKED STADIUM AHEAD OF GOOD FRIDAY’S BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE CLASH AGAINST ST HELENS.
The Warriors return to Betfred Super League action with a short trip over Billinge Hill where Peet’s side will be aiming to continue their fine start to the 2024 season.
Speaking ahead of the Derby, Peet said: “These are the games we look forward to immensley because we know we have to be at our best to win. It means so much to both sets of supporters from both towns and it has all the makings of an outstanding occasion.”
On the emotional and tactical side of the fixture, Peet said: “It’s about striking a balance between the two. You can’t shy away from the emotional side, but it won’t win you the game which means you’ve got to get the rugby side right.”
Peet added: “We won’t have to remind the players that this is an outstanding fixture as they are very proud individuals who will be motivated by the crowd. As coaches we will concentrate more on the rugby approach.”
On the importance of the clash, Peet said: “It’s completely unique which rugby league fans and people in the two towns understand. Whether the teams are both flying high or having different seasons, it’s an occasion which sells itself because of the history behind it. It never fails to deliver which is a credit to the players.”
Highlights of previous clashes against St Helens are available to watch on Wigan TV HERE.
https://tv.wiganwarriors.com/
https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/03/ ... -helens-3/
Peet previews St Helens
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josie andrews
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Peet previews St Helens
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
-
josie andrews
- Posts: 35788
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
- Location: Wigan
- Contact:
Re: Peet previews St Helens
Matt Peet delivers early team news with duo back in contention for sold-out Good Friday derby
Wigan Warriors duo Willie Isa and Jai Field are back in contention for the Good Friday derby against St Helens, head coach Matt Peet has confirmed.
The pair missed the recent 44-18 Challenge Cup sixth round victory over Sheffield Eagles at the DW Stadium, with back-rower Isa replaced by Junior Nsemba and superstar full-back Field rested due to an ongoing knock.
The pair missed the recent 44-18 Challenge Cup sixth round victory over Sheffield Eagles at the DW Stadium, with back-rower Isa replaced by Junior Nsemba and superstar full-back Field rested due to an ongoing knock.
29-year-old Ryan Hampshire made his second appearance of the season filling it at the back.
The pair could return to Wigan’s squad for Friday’s sold-out clash at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Meanwhile the reigning Super League champions will look to maintain their perfect start to 2024, while Paul Wellens’ St Helens have lost just once with a shock home defeat to Salford Red Devils.
“It’s a completely unique fixture,” Peet said, previewing the Rivals Round clash.
“People of rugby league understand it, people of the two towns understand it.
“Whether both teams are flying high or having indifferent seasons, it’s very much an occasion.
“It sells itself because of the history behind it and it never fails to deliver and that’s a credit to the players.
“It’s an exciting one and it is one that you look forward to as soon as the fixtures come out.”
Meanwhile, Warriors centre Adam Keighran was fined £250 by the match review panel for a Grade B head contact charge on Monday but is free to play, while Saints could be without in-form forward James Bell following a one-match suspension for Grade B dangerous contact.
https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... by-4568555
Wigan Warriors duo Willie Isa and Jai Field are back in contention for the Good Friday derby against St Helens, head coach Matt Peet has confirmed.
The pair missed the recent 44-18 Challenge Cup sixth round victory over Sheffield Eagles at the DW Stadium, with back-rower Isa replaced by Junior Nsemba and superstar full-back Field rested due to an ongoing knock.
The pair missed the recent 44-18 Challenge Cup sixth round victory over Sheffield Eagles at the DW Stadium, with back-rower Isa replaced by Junior Nsemba and superstar full-back Field rested due to an ongoing knock.
29-year-old Ryan Hampshire made his second appearance of the season filling it at the back.
The pair could return to Wigan’s squad for Friday’s sold-out clash at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Meanwhile the reigning Super League champions will look to maintain their perfect start to 2024, while Paul Wellens’ St Helens have lost just once with a shock home defeat to Salford Red Devils.
“It’s a completely unique fixture,” Peet said, previewing the Rivals Round clash.
“People of rugby league understand it, people of the two towns understand it.
“Whether both teams are flying high or having indifferent seasons, it’s very much an occasion.
“It sells itself because of the history behind it and it never fails to deliver and that’s a credit to the players.
“It’s an exciting one and it is one that you look forward to as soon as the fixtures come out.”
Meanwhile, Warriors centre Adam Keighran was fined £250 by the match review panel for a Grade B head contact charge on Monday but is free to play, while Saints could be without in-form forward James Bell following a one-match suspension for Grade B dangerous contact.
https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... by-4568555
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
-
josie andrews
- Posts: 35788
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
- Location: Wigan
- Contact:
Re: Peet previews St Helens
St Helens v Wigan: Paul Wellens says strength benefits both clubs and enhances rivalry
St Helens and Wigan's mutual success is good for both clubs as it adds extra importance to Friday's derby, says Saints boss Paul Wellens.
Saints dropped the Super League title to Wigan last year having won the past four titles - including victory over the Cherry and Whites in 2020.
Wigan also followed up Saints' World Club exploits, beating Penrith as their rivals had done 12 months previously.
"This means more than just two points," Wellens told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"It always has done, it's a historical fixture, fought fiercely by two great rivals. I'm a firm believer that Wigan Warriors need a strong St Helens and we need a strong Wigan Warriors.
"Two clubs at the peak of their powers makes for a wonderful occasion."
The 44-year-old former Great Britain and England international played in 61 derbies for Saints during an 18-year long career, so is qualified when he states the importance of the rivalry with Wigan.
His opposite number Matt Peet has had a different route to his time in rugby league, as his dreams of playing for his boyhood Wigan heroes never quite came to fruition.
Instead, the 39-year-old went a different route, studying English Literature at university, continuing his rugby league journey at amateur level and progressing instead as a coach - working at almost every level before taking on the top job for 2022.
Since then Peet has won all there is to win - Challenge Cup, Super League, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge. He too appreciates how important Saints are to Wigan, and what victory in this game means to either side.
"I think a lot of it comes out as respect for them as a team, it's not just a local rivalry," Peet told BBC Radio Manchester.
"They've been the best team for a long time, so we want to be a good team as well and to beat such a big team pleases me."
The ultimate test in a season?
Having already faced the best of the Australian National Rugby League in Penrith, Wigan have shown their pedigree in big games.
Yet Peet expects Saints to bring an even greater challenge given the relative positions of the two opponents when they came to face them.
"This will be the toughest," Peet added. "Penrith are an outstanding team but they're a little under-prepared compared to where we're all at right now.
"St Helens are on a good run of form, they're on home ground and know our team inside out, it's a very different challenge but almost a sterner one."
Like Wigan, Saints have plenty of muscle memory when it comes to handling the cauldron-like atmosphere of a packed house on derby day - as it will be on Friday.
There are numerous survivors from the consecutive Grand Final wins of 2019-22, the 2021 Challenge Cup final-winning team, not to mention the side that beat Penrith in their own back yard in 2023.
It is that level of experience across the board that sets up this derby as a truly eye-catching game even after just five regular season rounds.
"Part and parcel of being a successful club is how to handle those occasions - Grand Final, Challenge Cup finals and Wigan-Saints derbies," Wellens added.
"I'm confident I've got a playing group who learned to do that well over recent years, but when I look at Wigan and what they've achieved over the years they've got that too.
"That's what makes this one such an intriguing game."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68665783
St Helens and Wigan's mutual success is good for both clubs as it adds extra importance to Friday's derby, says Saints boss Paul Wellens.
Saints dropped the Super League title to Wigan last year having won the past four titles - including victory over the Cherry and Whites in 2020.
Wigan also followed up Saints' World Club exploits, beating Penrith as their rivals had done 12 months previously.
"This means more than just two points," Wellens told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"It always has done, it's a historical fixture, fought fiercely by two great rivals. I'm a firm believer that Wigan Warriors need a strong St Helens and we need a strong Wigan Warriors.
"Two clubs at the peak of their powers makes for a wonderful occasion."
The 44-year-old former Great Britain and England international played in 61 derbies for Saints during an 18-year long career, so is qualified when he states the importance of the rivalry with Wigan.
His opposite number Matt Peet has had a different route to his time in rugby league, as his dreams of playing for his boyhood Wigan heroes never quite came to fruition.
Instead, the 39-year-old went a different route, studying English Literature at university, continuing his rugby league journey at amateur level and progressing instead as a coach - working at almost every level before taking on the top job for 2022.
Since then Peet has won all there is to win - Challenge Cup, Super League, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge. He too appreciates how important Saints are to Wigan, and what victory in this game means to either side.
"I think a lot of it comes out as respect for them as a team, it's not just a local rivalry," Peet told BBC Radio Manchester.
"They've been the best team for a long time, so we want to be a good team as well and to beat such a big team pleases me."
The ultimate test in a season?
Having already faced the best of the Australian National Rugby League in Penrith, Wigan have shown their pedigree in big games.
Yet Peet expects Saints to bring an even greater challenge given the relative positions of the two opponents when they came to face them.
"This will be the toughest," Peet added. "Penrith are an outstanding team but they're a little under-prepared compared to where we're all at right now.
"St Helens are on a good run of form, they're on home ground and know our team inside out, it's a very different challenge but almost a sterner one."
Like Wigan, Saints have plenty of muscle memory when it comes to handling the cauldron-like atmosphere of a packed house on derby day - as it will be on Friday.
There are numerous survivors from the consecutive Grand Final wins of 2019-22, the 2021 Challenge Cup final-winning team, not to mention the side that beat Penrith in their own back yard in 2023.
It is that level of experience across the board that sets up this derby as a truly eye-catching game even after just five regular season rounds.
"Part and parcel of being a successful club is how to handle those occasions - Grand Final, Challenge Cup finals and Wigan-Saints derbies," Wellens added.
"I'm confident I've got a playing group who learned to do that well over recent years, but when I look at Wigan and what they've achieved over the years they've got that too.
"That's what makes this one such an intriguing game."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68665783
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan