Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet on injury updates, pair’s suspensions and potential replacements
Wigan Warriors will be boosted by the return of Ethan Havard for Sunday’s clash with Castleford Tigers, but they will be without Harry Smith and Sam Walters due to suspension.
Key prop Havard missed last Sunday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Wakefield Trinity as he underwent his return-to-play concussion protocol, having suffered a head knock in the Good Friday derby defeat to St Helens. The England international passed his head injury assessment against Saints, but upon reviewing the footage, the Warriors decided to sit Havard out for the Wakefield game due to the nature of his clash of heads with Saints hooker Daryl Clark.
Meanwhile, strike centre Jake Wardle remains a couple of weeks away from returning, having suffered an MCL knee injury in the opening round.
“Ethan comes back in, but he’s the only one,” said Peet. “Jake is a few weeks away yet.”
Wigan will line up against Castleford on Sunday without halfback Smith and versatile forward Walters, both of whom copped three-match suspensions following the Challenge Cup clash with Wakefield.
"We briefly talked about appealing, you’ve got to consider it, particularly the Harry one, I’m sure we’d all have the same opinion on it, but the rules are the rules, and there’s no nuances there,” Peet added.
"It’s zero, or it’s three, and the fact is, Harry did what he did. It’s black and white, but I think everyone can see there was no malice there, but we’ve got to take it on the chin.
"With any coach, you lose players, and you’re a little bit frustrated. I think players on both teams would have wished certain things didn’t happen, but you’ve got to understand in sport, at that level of competition and that intensity, there are moments, and you’ve got to learn from them, keep our own house in order and enjoy the challenge that faces us now.”
Smith’s absence means that 20-year-old Jack Farrimond will be Wigan’s senior halfback in Sunday’s clash with Castleford at the Brick Community Stadium.
"The fact is, he’s been playing week after week now,” Peet continued. “This is great for Jack, and a challenge we’re all excited about.”
The Warriors will have to overcome adversity this week with a number of key players out through suspension or injury, but Peet says he and his side embrace these kinds of challenges.
"I do enjoy them,” he added. “Even last week, when you’re coming off the back of a poor end to the St Helens game, and you’ve got to review it, learn and improve.
"The challenge of it is what defines you as a group – players, staff and as a club. This is just another challenge, that’s the best word for it, and something we’ve got to work on the best way to attack, practise and then ultimately execute on Sunday.”
There are a number of avenues that Peet and Co could go down regarding filling the void left by Smith in the halves and Walters in the back-row.
"We’ve got a few options, but it’s a bit early in the week to tell you what my team will be,” Peet said. “Jai Field has played in the halves before, Adam Keighran has played in the halves before. We’ll do a bit of work on the training field this week, and we’ll be prepared.
"We’ve got middle unit players who can play out there (in the back-row). Sam was a middle player on the edge, so there’s Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Kaide Ellis, Lukas Mason, Jonny Vaughan and Oliver Partington.”
Meanwhile, young fullback Noah Hodkinson has been an unused sub over the last two games following Field’s return to the side, but he, too, could get more game time under his belt this weekend.
"He did a great job for us when he played,” said Peet. “He’s been on the bench very much as injury cover.
"Ideally, you want impact from all your bench, but some players are there primarily as cover. If you get injured in certain positions, it can leave you very light. That’s been his role the last couple of weeks, but the games he had for us and the game in the reserves against St Helens a couple of weeks ago, he was the best player on the field, so I’m really happy with his progress.”
With Smith and Walters unavailable for Wigan’s next three games, which are against Castleford, Warrington Wolves and Bradford Bulls, Peet says it is a chance for the pair to freshen up and get some hard work done in the gym.
"There’s an opportunity for them to get some specific training, particularly in strength and conditioning,” Peet added. “That’s not a massive thing for Harry, but for Sam, and any forwards who are playing big minutes, it’s important that you take the opportunity to get some physical work done.
"I think it’s important for both of them that they stay present around the group, whether that’s in sessions and still affecting team meetings, and helping us with our preparation. They are two pretty big voices in the side, so it’s important that they’re still impacting on the players, whether that’s the younger lads or the players who are playing in their positions.”
Wigan take on Castleford in Round Eight of Super League at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 3pm kick-off. The game will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports + Red Button and SuperLeague+.