How a group of ‘decent people’ is the way forward for Matt Peet and Wigan Warriors

Following on from their Challenge Cup final victory over Huddersfield Giants, Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet described how he wants his squad to be ‘built around decent people’.

The Cherry and Whites twice came from behind in front of over 50,000 people at the new state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to lift the cup in a performance which epitomised the resilience and character that this new-look Warriors side possesses.

When you look up and down the Wigan roster, every player has a special story behind them. Whether that be through a major set-back which they have overcome or simply by just proving people wrong, every individual has a tale to tell.

Wigan is a club steeped in history, though with that comes expectation. Through periods of change and transition, that level success can be difficult to maintain, sometimes impossible. And with fans naturally having tunnel-vision on silverware when seeing their club lift it consistently, accepting that transition period with its struggles can be challenging.

In truth, all that Wigan fans probably want to see – aside from success – is players having pride in pulling on their shirt. At times last year especially, it must be said that was hard to recognise. But this year has been different. There was a whole host of change off the field, and to be fair to the hierarchy at the D.W. Stadium, that change was a gamble.

A name unknown to some outside of the club, Peet took the step up to become the head coach of his hometown team. Renowned within the Wigan ranks for his work with the academy setup over the years, there’s no doubting that taking the helm was a risk.

But in someone that oversaw the rise of players such as Oliver Gildart, George Williams and Ryan Sutton, it would appear the club is in safe hands. Peet has also worked as a ‘Club Performance Coach’ and looked after the Warriors’ academy and junior programmes.

His latest role before the new appointment was ‘First Team Assistance Coach’ – alongside now Leigh Centurions boss Adrian lam – where he was tasked primarily with coaching defence. It’s no hidden fact that Wigan weren’t at their best last year. Many across the competition considered them to be one of the poorest teams in Super League going forward.

With no disrespect towards Lam – who executed a tactical masterclass to pick up the 1895 Cup with his new side Leigh on Saturday – it was clear for all to see change was needed at the Warriors. A risk. A gamble. True. But now success has come their way.

Progress under Peet

Wigan have impressed in Super League action. Only losing four games all campaign so far, one of which coming with a very youthful side put out against Huddersfield in a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Challenge Cup final.  They sit third in the league table, four points off a rampant St Helens at the top.

But it’s the domestic cup where Wigan have really made their headlines and brought fans back into the club, an emotion of togetherness which was on show more than ever in the capital.

Their fans sung loud and proud as they packed out the South Stand at Spurs, creating a red and white wall. As ‘Sweet Caroline’ was belted out pre-match to and once again after the on-pitch trophy lift, it provided a moment which encapsulated how connected the Warriors fans felt to their club once more.

It wasn’t just the fans who enjoyed themselves either. There’s a number of players and staff within the Cherry and Whites that are Wigan born and bred, and a day like the one in North London is what their dreams are made of.

Peet himself a proud ‘Wiganer’ gave a selfless response when asked what the win meant to him, adding: “I can just sit here happy and proud that I know people are happy, and we played a part in them [the fans] having a great weekend.”

I think that summarises what this group has become. It’s become a group of people, leaders, who work for one another and want to work, united as one, to make the town proud.

Magic Marshall

The hero at Tottenham – as well as in the semi-final – Liam Marshall was the only player within his team to not receive a scholarship in his younger days. Boss Peet couldn’t speak highly enough of Marshall’s resilience and how that’s what has kept him in the game while others in similar circumstances have dropped out.

The boss worked with the winger during his academy days and would’ve overseen his progress, describing him as a ‘hero’ for the club after years of set-backs, and admitting that was a reflection on the player’s attitude rather than his actions as coach.

Stunning Smith

Then there’s the playmaker behind the success, Harry Smith. At the start of the season, he was struggling to get a look in. After winning the academy’s version of the Grand Final on three occasions and making his debut in 2019, that undoubtedly would’ve come as a blow to him.

But instead of putting his head down, he’s patiently waited for his opportunity and when one arose, he grabbed it. Some journalists described it as a ‘coming of age’ for the 22-year-old, who has proved his worth to the doubters with a sterling performance capped off with the assist for Marshall’s winning try less than four minutes from time.

The composure, confidence, and bravery to try a pass like that in the 77^th minute of a Challenge Cup final is something that should not be overlooked in the slightest, and the fact he got it inch-perfect should make it even more commendable.

Leuluai Lights It Up

And while each member of the squad from Saturday could have his own part in this article, there is only room for one more to be highlighted and it simply has to be captain Tommy Leuluai.

A knee injury suffered in the Good Friday derby defeat to St Helens was supposed to rule the Kiwi out for 12 weeks. Six weeks later, he’s coming off the bench at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, straight into the battle of a Challenge Cup final.

It also should be added he’s coming up trumps to help give his side the balance needed to control the game and though chasing the score for most of the encounter, always remaining in the game. His leadership undeniably played a big part in a game staying in touching distance always means there’s going to be a chance.

Peet spoke about his character post-match and revealed how Leuluai rang him straight after the win over Saints at Elland Road in the semi-final earlier this month. He wasn’t going to miss the final, going beyond the ‘decent people’ summary in Peet’s eyes.

“I could speak so much about him,” Peet said.

“He’s a leader, I’ve said to the players in there [the dressing room] that we should all feel privileged to work with Tommy.”

Leuluai meanwhile described the rushed recovery and himself ‘living like a nun’ as he pushed everything to ensure he was fit. On a pitch, you simply want – and need – a man like Tommy Leuluai by your side.

This Wigan squad has characters like that in abundance. They might not be the most skilled players within the competition, but on days like that semi-final win over Saints and the comeback win over the Giants in the final, the need for resilience and character grows stronger than the need for individual skill.

Yes, in a sense, that’s what wins finals. The individual skill from Smith will forever be the decisive factor. But the fact he was even playing in that final and still wearing the Cherry and White shirt, with a huge amount of pride might I add, shows the character within not just him but the rest of the squad and their respective stories.

Everyone, not just in rugby league, but in life, has a story. It’s how you adapt that and create your own success that defines you in sport, and Wigan Warriors with their 20th Challenge Cup win made history.

 

 

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