Matt Peet praises Wigan Warriors debutants Noah Hodkinson and Dayon Sambou after Bradford Bulls win
Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet paid tribute to Noah Hodkinson and Dayon Sambou after the promising duo made their club debuts in Friday night’s 30-6 victory over Bradford Bulls in the Challenge Cup.
Academy graduate Hodkinson was handed the fullback role in the absence of Jai Field (appendix) and Bevan French (hamstring), and the 20-year-old grasped the opportunity with an assured display across the full 80 minutes.
Calm under the high ball and energetic in support, Hodkinson slotted smoothly into Wigan’s spine alongside fellow academy products Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith and Brad O’Neill in what was a memorable night for the club’s development system.
The youngster, who played his junior rugby for Hindley ARLFC before progressing through the Warriors’ renowned academy pathway, earned heritage number 1,142.
“Whenever Noah has moved through the grades, or you see him in training, he’s quite a composed character,” Peet said.
“I don’t think he overthinks things. He has learned a lot over the years. I actually singled out John Duffy (reserves and transition coach) and Shane Eccles (head of youth) in the changing rooms after the game.
“Nights like this take me back to when you’re involved in that side of the club. When a young player moves through the pathway and gets that chance in the first-team, it’s something everyone involved can be proud of. I’m really proud of the whole pathway for what Noah did tonight. You look around the team as well – Jack (Farrimond), Zach (Eckersley), Junior (Nsemba) and Brad (O’Neill) – I love it.
“I told Noah (about his debut) on the way home from France last week, once we knew Bev was out. He’s been doing everything that’s been asked of him in training and in reserve games, so it was a pretty easy decision to make, to be honest.”
Another player enjoying a landmark moment was off-season signing Sambou, who made his first senior appearance for Wigan after arriving from St Helens on a four-year contract.
Introduced from the bench for the final 25 minutes, the outside-back capped his debut in style by reading a Bradford pass and intercepting to sprint clear and score the game’s final try.
Peet explained the decision to include Sambou on the interchange bench was largely down to squad balance.
“Just looking at the balance of the bench, quite often we have Bevan there who can move from the halves into the edges if we need to,” he said.
“We’ve already got Liam Farrell playing in the centres, who is a bit of a moving part for us as well, so it was about having that bit of cover in the backline.
“I was impressed with Dayon and the way he played for Salford at the weekend, so that’s the way we decided to go. That bench spot is one we probably won’t play the same every week.”
Peet has never been shy about promoting youth and, after also handing Taylor Kerr his debut against Toulouse Olympique last week, he insists more opportunities will come for players performing in the club’s youth system.
“The reserves have got a game this weekend,” he added.
“It makes it a lot easier for a coach to give someone an opportunity when the last time you watched them, they stood out, looked energetic and performed well. The lads know that.
“We don’t just give jerseys out for the sake of it – you’ve got to be playing well and training well, and then you’ll get your chance.”