Matt Peet looks ahead to Semi-Final derby clash

It’s the Challenge Cup semi-finals this weekend at Elland Road as Wigan Warriors face off against St Helens in one of the two semi-finals which make up a triple-header in Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon.

The historic derby is added to a schedule which has the other men’s semi-final between Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants in an all-Yorkshire tie as well as the Women’s Betfred Challenge Cup final.

But the clash between the two north-west sides is the pick of the bunch from the semis after the teams met on Good Friday in a contest which hosted the most intense Rugby League arguably seen all year.

Both Saints and the Warriors went close within the opening minutes in a match which saw the Saints come out on top in convincing fashion in the end.

But the final score line took nothing away from the Warriors’ opening which had the Totally Wicked Stadium pretty shocked as Wigan took the lead through the outstanding Jai Field.

Speaking at Tuesday’s media event ahead of the weekend’s semi-final, Matt Peet was excited about the clash in Yorkshire and recognised what was at stake ahead of the game at Elland Road.

 “I like the games on neutral ground, I think it adds that ‘cup final’ feeling, I think it’s special, it’s unique and people will remember it for a while.

“Hopefully it’s like a carnival atmosphere for the fans and we have to play our part for our fans and give them something to celebrate. It motivates us massively to try and make it a positive day for them.”

With Peet having spent a long time now with the Warriors, his hometown club, this one appears to mean that little bit more for the Head Coach.

Peet added: “If we win this, I’ll be happy. I’ll be proper happy.

“If we can get a result, I reckon it’ll be the one where I’m genuinely delighted, not that I’m not delighted after other games but if we can get the result for the town and for the people then I’ll be the happiest man in the ground.

With the afternoon kicking off with the women’s Challenge Cup final, the Warriors and Saints will be next up to face off on the famous Elland Road turf which could potentially see a cup shock with Wigan going into the game the underdogs, but ones which certainly have the quality on their day to overturn the odds and progress to the final.

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