Matt Peet on why being coach of Wigan Warriors is a 'privilege'
Matt Peet cut an incredibly proud figure after Wigan Warriors’ win at Wembley
Matt Peet admitted it is a 'privilege' to be the head coach of Wigan Warriors after an historic Wembley weekend for the club and the town.
Peet's Warriors absolutely wiped the floor with Hull KR in the Challenge Cup final to run out 40-10 winners.
Earlier in the day, Warriors' Women's side had been even more emphatic winners of their own Challenge Cup, thanks to a 54-6 triumph against arch-rivals St Helens.
And the opening game of finals day had been an all-Wigan affair, as St Peter’s Catholic High School beat The Deanery 38-0 in the Year 7 Champion Schools decider.
"It's been a great day for the town," enthused Peet. "With the two school teams reaching the final, and the women's team winning as well.
"We were watching the game in the hotel before we left, and then on the coach over, and it's a great day for everyone.
"Credit to the club for the investment they make in the women's game, and days like this make it all worthwhile.
"A lot of this comes from meticulous planning, and I'm very privileged to be the coach here."
Despite watching his side regain one of the four trophies held by Hull KR, Peet played down the significance of getting one back against their current biggest rivals.
"We never felt like we had anything to prove," he said. "The next one is always the most important.
"When you've won a few, everyone talks about the pressure to keep going. And when you've not won for a while, everyone talks about the pressure that brings.
"The next one always feels like the best one, and that's how this one feels."
It was certainly vindication for criticism received from some quarters for Peet fielding a virtual academy 17 in the league last week against Hull KR, who won 62-4 at Craven Park.
"I've said before that when you win, you get praised for your decision making, and when you lose you get criticised," added Peet.
"I've approached it both ways in the past, and you get judged on the results that follow. Sometimes you get them right, sometimes you get them wrong, you just keep your head down."