Chilled Matt Peet downplayed selection headaches after Wigan Warriors suspension setbacks

Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet says he is as fired up as ever ahead of the Challenge Cup final. You’d think the pressure would be on as the favorites head into tomorrow’s huge clash at Wembley against Warrington.

Seeing two of its biggest stars – Tyler Dupree and Adam Keighran – banned on this occasion can’t help. But Peet, who won the Cup with Spurs two years ago in his first season as head coach, insisted: “The front end of the week is business as usual; team selection, training, etc.

“It’s only when you get done with our last session on Thursday that it all gets a little different for us. The trip and the hotel. But even that you get used to. As the day approaches, it can actually be more relaxed than ever: you’re in a hotel, away from your family. It’s focused and exciting.”

Peet has won all three major finals he has reached with Wigan following last year’s Grand Final glory and a World Club Challenge win against Penrith in February.

He says walking his St Bernard helps him relax, but added: “I find these work weeks have probably been the most enjoyable for me. I will not say the easiest, but in many ways it is very simple. Generally, you are not working on anything new and you are in a rhythm. This is a bit different to the Grand Final because you go down early and there’s all the fun around that. I can not wait.”

There were no surprises when the finalists announced their 21-man squads yesterday before jetting off to London. Rookie center Zach Eckersley, 20, is hoping to replace Aussie Keighran despite making just three appearances for Wigan since his debut in 2022.

Instead, Warrington club captain Stefan Ratchford, 35, is battling with Connor Wrench and Rodrick Tai for a central spot in Sam Burgess’s side.

Peet, 40, has been impressed with how former England captain Burgess has adapted to his first professional head coaching role.

Warrington are just two points behind co-leaders Wigan at the Super League summit and impressed on their transfer to Wembley.

Peet said: “It was perfect, to be honest. As you would expect. He’s been a leader at a lot of big clubs and a lot of big games internationally, so he’s been around good people, winning teams and winning organizations.

“He knows what it takes and he knows what’s important. Right from the start it seemed very level. His team plays with a smile on their face. So I think he’s done a first class job and he’s brilliant for British rugby league and Super League. He raises the profile of the game and brings the best out of them, a Warrington club that needed a boost. He brought it.”

Having thrived in Rugby League’s oldest and most prestigious knock-out competition at Tottenham in 2022, Peet would love to repeat the feat at the Cup’s traditional home.

He said: “It is a unique experience for all of us. The game will be extra special now with what happened to Rob Burrow this week. It will be an honor for me to lead the team. But it’s every week. I can not wait. The focus now is very much on 13 v 13 and getting those bits right.”