Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet on 'high-quality' Leeds Rhinos, League Leaders' Shield and levels of consistency

Matt Peet knows Wigan Warriors face one of their biggest tests of the season when they travel to Leeds Rhinos on Saturday as the League Leaders' Shield race reaches its climax.

The Warriors travel to AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium level on points with first-placed Leeds with just two rounds of the regular Super League season remaining.

Wigan’s form has seen them win 13 consecutive Super League games - a new club record in the summer era - while they have also won 17 of their last 18 matches in all competitions.

Victory for either side on Saturday would put them in a commanding position to finish top of the table and lift the League Leaders’ Shield the following week.

Peet believes the occasion is an exciting position for the competition to be in.

“It’s brilliant, isn’t it?” Peet said following their 46-0 win over Hull KR on Thursday. “We’ve had a series of these (games) really for a few weeks now since the Leeds-Leigh result - it’s felt like a series of finals or Cup games, I suppose, and this is another one.

“Whoever wins will be really well-positioned to get the League Leaders’ (Shield), but I also think that whichever team loses that game will get a kick towards the end of the year, so I think it is building really nicely.

“The League Leaders’ (Shield) is a fantastic trophy, and I think Headingley is fitting of this sort of game.

“We know what we’re up against - a quality team we’ve got a lot of respect for.

“Brad Arthur - the way he has brought that team and club together over the last couple of seasons - I think they’re a real high-quality team who are getting better and better.”

Last Thursday, the Warriors produced another professional display to beat a youthful Hull KR side 46-0 and extend their winning run in the league to 13 matches.

Peet believes his players have remained focused despite the adversity that has come their way in recent months.

“I’d agree at the moment,” said Peet. “It’s probably not always been the case where we’ve had that level of consistency, so it is tapping into that and trying to get it to last as long as we can, but I would agree that the team seem really focused.

“I think they understand what makes us a good team and a tough team to play against, and they’re getting that area of the game right and playing on the back of it.

“But when you get to this end of the year, you’re playing other teams who are in a good spot as well, so it’s going to be interesting to see how we handle it when it’s coming the other way as well, and that’s what this time of year is all about.

“But I am happy with the spine of the team. They seem really connected - not just within themselves - but with what they’re saying in the week and then executing on gameday.”

Wigan will then round off the regular season at home to Catalans Dragons, while Leeds host Hull FC, meaning Saturday’s result could prove decisive in the League Leaders’ Shield race.