Wigan Warriors' young halfback pairing hailed after Matt Peet's previous 'too defensive' admission
Wigan Warriors’ youngest halfback pairing in 41 years helped Matt Peet’s side return to winning ways, thanks to a comfortable 38-14 victory over Bradford Bulls.
Academy talent George Marsden, 17, was given his first-team debut, producing a stellar display at the Brick Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Marsden partnered Jack Farrimond in the halves, with the pair’s combined age of 37 making them Wigan’s youngest halfback pairing since Mike Ford and Shaun Edwards lined up together against Featherstone in April 1985.
The decision for Peet to select Marsden was certainly bold, but it was a gamble that paid off. Marsden’s debut allowed other players to play in their preferred positions, and the Warriors looked more fluent and balanced in attack as a result.
"That was the reason for the decision,” said Peet. “I have been playing people out of position, maybe a little bit too defensive-minded at times, and that’s something I’ve reflected on and spoken to the coaches about.
"The fact is, George is very young, he doesn’t train with us, he’s not full-time, so it was a decent decision to make, but it certainly looked more fluent having two back-rowers in the back-row and centres in the centres and almost two wingers, but it’s kind of been what we’ve been wanting to do for a while, to be honest.”
Peet was full of praise for Marsden, who claimed the sponsors’ Player of the Match award following a calm and composed debut.
"George is quite unassuming, nothing really fazes him, and he never looks too excited – he was just like ‘yeah, alright,’” Peet smiled.
"Everything I’ve spoken to him about all week, he’s been like ‘yeah, I know’ and he’s just seemed assured – that’d be the word I’d use to describe him. He’s a proper scrum-half, he knows the game, and it was a good first game for him.
"You always get a very similar level of performance from George. He knows his role, intelligent, no-frills, tough kid – he’s a credit to everyone who has worked with him over the years.”
The Warriors pulled through the game without any injuries, while senior halfback Harry Smith and versatile forward Sam Walters are available to return from their suspensions in next Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final clash against St Helens, with the Warriors now having some continuity in their side.
Asked if that was part of the thinking behind playing Marsden, Peet replied: “A little bit, but it was never done with overlooking this game. We wanted to win this week – we needed to win this week, but it was a factor.”
Peet also paid tribute to Farrimond as he dominated the game against Bradford with his kicking game in what turned out to be one of his strongest performances of the year so far.
"I think there was more responsibility on Jack to dominate the kicking game this week,” Peet continued.
"That was another reason for putting him on the right. I tried flipping him last week, we got our first kick charged down, and then I had to move Adam (Keighran).
"There have been things like that, where it’s not quite clicked for us, but I thought Jack kicking and chasing down the right, he defended well for large parts against a team who do through quite a bit at you.
"That’s the thing, when you decide to back young players, it’s not just a straight line trajectory of improvement. There are times when there are tough days and tough periods, but it’s only through being in them… Jack is going to be so much better for this period, and he will get a few kicks along the way, but don’t we all? That’s what is going to make him better. I thought he was good today.”