Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet reacts to Hull FC win and first impressions on new ruck rules
Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet said he was ‘pleased for lots of reasons’ after his side rounded off their pre-season schedule with a 22-18 victory over Hull FC in Liam Marshall’s testimonial match.
The Warriors’ final warm-up ahead of the competitive campaign was played in front of a 4,500-strong crowd at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, as Peet’s men were tested in an intense contest against Super League opposition.
“I’m pleased for lots of reasons,” Peet said. “It was a good way to celebrate Liam’s career, it was a great challenge and two teams really went at it full on. We were also adapting to the new way the game is being refereed, which we’ll learn a lot from.
“I think you could see signs of what we’ve been trying to work towards, so I’m relatively pleased. It was also great to see the young lads come on towards the end and play a decent chunk of the game, especially some who have come through the scholarship and academy together. We’ll evaluate their performances individually, but it was a nice moment.”
The match also gave players, coaches and supporters an early look at the new ruck interpretations set to be introduced in Super League ahead of the 2026 season.
With a focus on cleaner and quicker play-the-balls, defenders will no longer be permitted to linger in the ruck in an attempt to slow the game down, or they will face penalties. Peet has welcomed the change and believes it will benefit the spectacle.
“We like it,” he said. “We’re going to have to improve in certain areas, but every team will be thinking the same.
“You’re going to see more open play and more defences, including our own, under pressure. You’ll probably see more moments from the X-factor players in the competition, which is what we all want.”
Players such as Jai Field and Bevan French are expected to thrive under the new rules, and Field offered a glimpse of what could be to come with two outstanding moments during the win over Hull.
“I think that’s what happens when teams are in a cycle of doing certain things well in attack and defence,” Peet added. “Players with pace and threat are going to get opportunities, but at the other end, it becomes very tough to defend. It’s going to bring more excitement to the game, and Jai will bring more moments, I’m sure.”
Peet named a strong starting line-up for the contest, with several younger members of the first-team squad introduced around the hour mark to gain valuable match experience.
The Warriors boss revealed the rotation had been carefully planned, allowing senior players to be pushed physically while avoiding unnecessary risk ahead of competitive action.
“The minutes were planned,” he said. “Faz (Liam Farrell) coming off at half-time and the rest of them for about an hour, so that’s how we managed it.”
Wigan’s attention now turns to the Challenge Cup, with a third-round trip to Rochdale Hornets awaiting on Sunday, February 8.