Wigan Warriors v Hull FC: Matt Peet voices admiration for 'measured and experienced' John Cartwright ahead of Super League clash
Matt Peet heaped praise on opposite number John Cartwright as Wigan Warriors prepare to host Hull FC in Saturday night’s clash at the Brick Community Stadium.
As the Warriors gear up for their first home game of the new Super League season, Peet was quick to share his admiration for the job Cartwright has done in steadying and shaping Hull over the past 12 months, saying the foundations being laid at the Black and Whites are built for the long-term.
“I like John a lot,” said Peet. “Whenever he speaks, he speaks sense, he is very measured and is experienced, and you can tell the lads love playing for him.
“I just think he has got the long-term evolution of that team and that club in mind. He doesn’t get too reactive when they’ve had some tough times with injuries, so I just think he guides the club really well, and the players are reacting.
“They have got talent, Will Pryce is obviously a fantastic player, but he is not the only one, and the way they have developed their young British backline, with Zak (Hardaker) in there as well, but (Davy) Litten, (Lewis) Martin and (Harvey) Barron are three players that are great for Super League, great for England, great for Hull – good players – and I feel like the way they were blooded early doors with Grixy (Simon Grix) and then John, I think they are going to be permanent fixtures of this Hull side for a long time."
Peet’s respect for Hull extends beyond results and their climb back up the Super League table, pointing to the club’s commitment to promoting youth and exposing young players during more challenging periods prior to Cartwright’s arrival.
“Certainly we respect them for it,” Peet continued. “I just mentioned the players there, and I think there is more to come. The Kemp lads, they’ve got plenty of talent there, and it’s a credit to not just their academy system and the city of Hull for producing the players and the junior sides, but I think the senior coaches for backing them as well.
“They had a tough season not too long ago before John came in, but if you look at it, some of the players that were blooded through that period are some of the outstanding players in the competition now.”
Hull will head over to the Brick Community Stadium with confidence, having won there twice in 2025 – in Super League and in the Challenge Cup.
Wigan and Hull enjoyed opening round wins over Castleford Tigers and Bradford Bulls last week, and Peet expects another tough test this week.
“They’re a good team,” Peet added. “They’ve got a very exciting backline, powerful forwards. Aidan Sezer has been an excellent player for a long time, and has had some excellent games against us in the past.
"I think some of the grit they showed at the weekend… I heard what John had to say, and he was bang on. Some of their scramble defence was what any coach would be proud of. A bit like what I say, it’s the foundations of a team, and they’ve certainly got plenty of spirit, and Zak Hardaker epitomises what they’re about in terms of their get-up-and-go.”
But Wigan’s focus is equally internal, with Saturday’s Round Two clash marking their first opportunity to build momentum at home. The Warriors are at the Brick Community Stadium in five of their next six matches in all competitions.
“We always want to play well in front of our fans,” Peet said. “It’s the main motivation for everyone to get the supporters of our club with a smile on their face, excited.
"We want to be a team they’re proud of and enjoy watching, and this is our first opportunity to do that. It’s a big one for us.”