Wigan Warriors chief airs compliment to rising star after stunning season: 'He looks right at home'
Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet has aired one of the most fitting compliments to rising star Zach Eckersley, saying the homegrown talent is ‘certainly an established first-teamer now’ after another impressive campaign.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed his best season to date during his short but promising professional career, scoring 15 tries in 24 appearances in all competitions in 2025.
Eckersley has proven to be an invaluable asset to Peet’s side this season, with the academy product being comfortable playing anywhere along the backline. His preferred position is centre, but he has mainly featured on the right wing this season in the absence of Abbas Miski.
Eckersley made his first-team debut back in 2022, but has really made his mark in recent years, scoring 22 tries in 40 appearances over the last two seasons.
The Oldham native was a try-scorer in Wigan’s 62-6 demolition of Castleford Tigers on Friday, whilst registering an assist in his primary role of centre in the absence of Adam Keighran.
"I thought he was excellent,” said Warriors boss Peet on Eckersley following their 11-try win over Castleford.
"I thought he was one of our best, and I’m very grateful to have him. He works very hard.
"I know he’s capable of special things, but I just feel like we’ve got a very reliable player now who looks at home at this level.
"He has probably transitioned out of that young player bracket and is certainly an established first-teamer now, which is a credit to him and the hard work he has done on his game, and physically developing his game as well. He looks right at home."
Meanwhile, Peet shared praise for Kruise Leeming, who started at hooker against Castleford and played longer minutes than usual, with Brad O’Neill featuring from the bench.
"It’s a great position when you’ve got options as a coach,” Peet added.
"I’ve always known Kruise has got the capability to start a game; he proved that for us last year, so I thought it was a good opportunity for him to bring something to us at the start of the game, and he certainly did that.
"I was in two minds whether to let him see the game out, but it was probably important that Brad got a little bit of a blow on as well.”