Matt Peet reacts to Wigan Warriors' Challenge Cup win with tribute paid to Rochdale Hornets
Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet was quick to pay tribute to Championship opponents Rochdale Hornets after his side’s 83-0 win in the third round of the Challenge Cup, praising the hosts and highlighting the significance of the occasion for the wider game.
A strong crowd of 4,248 at the Crown Oil Arena – Rochdale’s highest attendance since 1998 – underlined the value of the Challenge Cup to rugby league’s traditional towns, something Peet was keen to acknowledge despite his side’s emphatic victory.
“We wanted to come and do the competition justice,” Peet said. “Credit to Rochdale, they made it a physical game at times, and we had to earn everything we got, so I'm pleased.”
The result sent Wigan into Monday’s fourth round draw, but with the Super League opener just a week away, Peet was equally satisfied with how his players approached the contest and came through unscathed.
“I’m happy with the performance, happy with the result, we came through it, and it was important that we attacked the game with it being the week before Super League, and there was a lot to take from it,” the Warriors boss added.
Peet also spoke about the broader importance of the Challenge Cup, particularly its role in supporting semi-professional clubs in the pyramid.
“It’s a major part of the Cup competition, breathing life and finances into the semi-professional game, because it's important,” he said. “The rich history of these places and proud rugby towns, British rugby league is built on it.
“We did everything we could do to co-operate, and we had a job to do in the middle of it here today."