Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors: Matt Peet previews 'big test' in Challenge Cup quarter-final

The Warriors travel to West Yorkshire aiming to respond after a 34-24 loss to St Helens on Good Friday, but Peet believes the significance of the tie stands on its own, given the fact it is knockout rugby.

“I think no matter what would have happened last week, this would’ve been an exciting game and one we want to get right,” said Peet.

“It was a tough fixture once the draw was made, and I just think anytime you play a team in a Challenge Cup quarter-final, you know it’s going to be all on. Wakefield are in good form, so that adds even more to the challenge.”

Wakefield head into the contest on a five-match winning run, something Peet says reflects their continued improvement under Daryl Powell.

“From what I’ve seen, they’ve gotten better as the season has progressed, which the coaching staff will take pride in, and that’s always a good sign,” Peet continued.

“They’re building momentum, are a really well-balanced team, and they play very well at home in front of a packed-out stadium, so it’s got all the ingredients of a tough game.”

Having also lost to Huddersfield Giants in recent weeks, Wigan are seeking an 80-minute performance, with Peet outlining the importance of both execution and outcome when it comes to knockout rugby.

“It’s always both from a coaching perspective, but I think in a knockout Cup game, the result is by far the most important thing, but we’ll not get that without a performance,” he said.

“There are aspects of our performance that we look for consistently, and we know what contributes towards our best rugby, but it’s about playing for the full 80. That’s got to be a focus for us and getting the basics right, our ball control right, and our discipline right to allow us to find our flow with the ball.”

The sides last met at the same stage of the competition back in 2022, when Wigan went on to lift the Challenge Cup, which marked Peet’s first trophy as head coach of his hometown club.

Wakefield have made huge strides since then under owner Matt Ellis and coach Powell, with Peet having shared praise for the transformation of the club in recent years.

“What Matt Ellis has done since putting his stamp on the club is fantastic,” Peet said. “I feel like it is a club with a lot of optimism and positivity around it, which is a testament to his investment, the recruitment he made — not just in terms of players — but staff as well.

“They’re going from strength to strength, but from as far as I’ve been in position, Wakefield at Wakefield has always been a tough game and they’ve always had some quality players, but I think what you’ve got now is that combination — the club from top to bottom — seems to be heading in the right direction.”

The game, which will be shown live on BBC One, has been billed as the standout tie of the quarter-finals, with Peet highlighting Wakefield’s blend of youth and experience in their squad.

“It should be a good game,” the Warriors boss said. “Wakefield are in really good form, they’ve got some top players and a good blend. They’ve got some overseas imports they’ve brought in, and they’ve recruited really positively, but they’ve got some good young British lads who have been there for a few years now, the likes of Oliver Pratt, Cameron Scott, Corey Hall, so I think they’ve got a great blend.”

The Challenge Cup marks the first opportunity for silverware, but the Warriors aren’t even thinking of Wembley, remaining focused solely on Sunday’s challenge at Wakefield.

“To get to a Challenge Cup semi-final and to win a Challenge Cup, you’ve got to overcome some good teams, and this is a big test,” Peet added.