Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet previews Catalans Dragons clash with League Leaders' Shield on the line
Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet previews Friday’s clash with Catalans Dragons
Matt Peet has warned Wigan Warriors to expect the ‘absolute best’ from Catalans Dragons as his side looks to secure the League Leaders’ Shield on Friday night.
Wigan head into the final round of the regular Super League season knowing victory over Catalans at the Brick Community Stadium will seal the League Leaders’ Shield.
The Dragons have endured an under-par campaign and have missed out on the play-offs, but Peet expects them to provide a stern test.
“We’ve got to expect the best of them,” said Peet.
“When you look at their backline - Charlie Staines has been outstanding all season, Tommy Makinson is coming towards the end of an unbelievable career, and he’s going to want to do himself proud, which I’m sure he will. They’ve also got Solomona Faataape, Nick Cotric, Leo Darrelatour…
“We’ve got to expect the absolute best of them, and it is their last game of the season, so they’re going to give it everything they’ve got.
“I think (Lewis) Dodd and (Toby) Sexton, at times, have combined because they’re high-quality players, so we’re just preparing for them to come and play the best they’ve played all season, and we’ve got areas to improve that we want to work on as well, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The League Leaders’ Shield is within touching distance for Wigan after their 40-8 win over Leeds Rhinos last weekend moved them to the top of the table.
”Probably for the last five or six weeks, we’ve felt like if we were to make a fight for the League Leaders that they were all games we needed to win, and this is the last part of this part of the season, so we want to do ourselves proud,” Peet added.
Friday will also mark Makinson’s final game before hanging up his boots after a stellar career with St Helens and Catalans.
“What an unbelievable player and career,” said Peet. “Another one of those players - a bit like Faz (Liam Farrell) - who conducts himself immaculately.
“I think he was in that world-class category for most of his career. I’ve taken many a defence to St Helens and spoken about him all week, only for him to run for 250 metres and score three tries.
“He’s a very competitive and brave athlete – a special player.”