Matt Peet claims Wigan Warriors have been “forgotten” in the build-up to the Challenge Cup

Peet won his first Challenge Cup in his first season in charge thanks to a late Liam Marshall try to give the Warriors a 16-14 win over Huddersfield Giants.

Speaking after their second Challenge Cup win, Peet discussed how he felt his team had been overlooked in the build-up to the game and why this victory is the most special of all the trophies they have won to date.

Wigan warriors ‘forgot’ in training

Credit: Imago Images

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after winning the cup, Peet described his emotions following Wigan’s win. According to Peet, winning the Challenge Cup last week was the most special trophy he has won to date.

Peet also feels the Wigan Warriors side have been forgotten in the build-up, which has been dominated by talk of Warrington’s performance the previous week and the opportunity for Sam Burgess to win a first trophy. Pete said:

“I feel like the fact that we have the full set is huge, but I just feel like a change. Now that we’ve won a few things people would like to see us get off the perch, which is fine. That’s human nature.

“But in the build-up, I thought it was a bit like we were forgotten a bit. It’s probably just my motivation, really, that I really, really wanted to win. I didn’t want to see us lose. I thought the team stepped up.”

Peet feels his side handled the pressure well

Credit: Imago Images

Wigan went into the game as favourites, and Peet believes this served to increase the pressure on his players. They also lost two key players in the build-up to the game, with Adam Keighran and Tyler Dupree picking up suspensions in the game against Warrington.

However, for Peet, this actually improved the group and sharpened them for the big occasion. He said:

“I feel like dealing with the pressure in this one, where it’s probably the first one we’ve gone into as favourites, and we’ve had a bit of a feeling against us, I think it marks a big step for the team and bodes well for the future. .

“I also feel the fact that we had a bit of adversity in the week and had to rely on some of our squad players, some of our younger players is a brilliant sign for the future.

“I actually feel it sharpened us up a bit, having to drop a relatively inexperienced player, losing a first international. I think it’s a great sign for the team when you have a bit of a fight and the group comes together and I really haven’t missed a beat yet. In fact, it probably made us better.”