Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet on St Helens derby, in-form duo and Sam Walters return

The Warriors boss was asked about last week’s win at Huddersfield Giants, Sam Walters’ return, the form of Zach Eckersley and Ethan Havard, the latest Man of Steel rankings and the home derby against Saints. Here is a rundown of everything Peet said in his pre-match presser.

You had to grind out the win at Huddersfield last week... How important do you think it is to show that your side can find different ways to win?

“Yeah, definitely. Our last two away games against Huddersfield and Hull FC have been similar, really. We’ve had to find a way to win against a team that was very physical. Huddersfield made it a game - they were very hard-working, they played tough, and we spoke in the week going into that game that it might need to be that sort of performance where you stick to it. You’ve got 80 minutes to win the games, and that’s what it took. We had to withstand a lot of pressure, and I’m just proud that the team found a way.”

After the Huddersfield win, you said you were far from fluent, but you were pleased with your side’s tenacity. What has been the main focus in training this week in terms of sharpening things up?

“Just getting some reps into our attack, really. We didn’t do a lot on the training field last week. The week before that was a really short turnaround, so this week has been a chance to get on the field, build some combinations and cohesion. We’re still ticking the boxes in terms of our normal processes and making sure we defend the way we need to against what’s coming, but I think just getting some time out on the field as a 13, and just working through our plays.”

Zach Eckersley has been in outstanding form this year... Do you think he is playing his way into the England squad?

“I’m delighted with Zach’s form. Very, very consistent. From what you would want from a winger, he’s delivering, with his backfield carries, and how he’s dealing with kicks, and then the threat he’s got to finish opportunities. He’s a very talented player, so I’m really happy with his form.”

Ethan Havard also seems to be having a strong campaign. He probably doesn’t get the external recognition he deserves, but he’s been going really well, hasn’t he?

“Like a few of our front-rowers, Ethan is more than capable of playing 80 minutes, so it’s trying to manage that throughout the season. He is very fit and very durable, and there is some quality in his game at the moment, so I’m really pleased with Ethan leading the way. I think the more intense games bring the best out of Ethan as well.”

The latest Man of Steel top 10 list is out, Wigan only had one in… Thoughts?

“It’s opinions, isn’t it? It’s opinions… I don’t know too much about it... I do know the panel is an impressive one, steeped in history and knowledge, so I think it’s a good way to pick it, and I’m sure they’ll make good choices, so other than that, not much.”

Did you expect to have more players in the rankings?

“It’s not something that’s on my radar, to be honest. It’s a media thing, isn’t it? It creates good stories, creates good debating points, but it’s not something that I really think about.”

Sam Walters returns from suspension this week... What has the last seven weeks looked like for Sam? Has it been somewhat of a mini pre-season for him?

“He had a period with his suspension earlier to this (most recent one) so it’s been trying to strike the balance with Sam. He is one of those lads who trains the house down, he is naturally very fit, so there has been a bit of that, but it’s just about getting the balance right.”

After a suspension like that, I don’t think anyone would accuse him of deliberately doing a tackle to cause that suspension, but you obviously don’t want him to go through the same process again. When a player gets a suspension like that, do you work with them to examine their tackling technique so they can try to avoid that sort of situation in the future?

“I think every case is a bit different, but I think it is important that you address it, whether that’s a technique thing or an emotional control or a decision-making thing. Every case is different, but we’ve just mentioned that with injuries, you want your best players on the field, and you want them playing the game in the right manner that’s safe for them, safe for their opponent, so yeah, whatever it takes to eradicate those sorts of flashpoints and moments.

“You’ve also got to understand that these lads are playing a game that’s super intense. I think particularly when you see some of the decisions that are made when the heat has been where it’s been, lads are probably in 40 or 50 contacts with or without the ball, and it could be a split second or poor judgement made, and they’ve got to pay the price, so it’s a combination of factors, but we certainly address it - you can’t just expect things to go away without working on them.”

Is Sam coming back, having hopefully not lost confidence in his own technique?

“It’s player to player when you’ve been out, but I don’t think confidence will be an issue for Sam, knowing him and how hard he works. He is quite self-assured.”

Because of the injury problems at St Helens, are you almost wondering which St Helens team you are going to be facing this week?

“There’s no doubt they’ve had a very tough time with injuries, but the spine is still very, very impressive, with quality players. I still see Jack Welsby as one of the premier players in the competition, Tristan Sailor has probably been St Helens’ player of the year, Jackson Hastings is right up there with the assists and we all know how much influence he can have on a game, and then Harry Robertson is last year’s Super League Young Player of the Year, so we’re all very aware of the players they’re missing, but the lads who’ve come in have committed to the cause. All our games against them have been tough, and those players I just mentioned, there’s still a lot of danger out there for us to contend with.”

You’ve mentioned all games against St Helens have been tough, and none more so than the most recent one at Magic Weekend?

“Honestly, I believe they were all very tough games. Periods where we were on the back foot and had to come up with big plays to come out of the other side of that. Quite often the scoreboard goes one way or the other, but the contests have been pretty evenly matched, pretty physical, very intense, and I think that’s what everyone knows they’re going to get come Friday night.”

The more regular these games can become events like at Magic Weekend, the better for the competition as a whole, isn’t it?

“I think Magic Weekend was a great success. Credit to everyone involved, and I think everyone would agree that our game saw it off in good style, so I’d agree with that, and this game never really fails to deliver.”

Could you guard with overconfidence, given that Saints seem to be coming into it with a big injury list? Obviously, everybody will think you’re going to win, and those are sometimes the games that can prove the trickiest...

“I really can’t see that, and if there is an element of overconfidence, then one: we’ll lose, and two: we’ll deserve to lose. We’ve all seen enough of these fixtures over the years to know that young players, players playing out of position on both teams from both clubs, quite often step up and can steal the show, so I can’t see it. Neither way, I just don’t see with the quality that St Helens have got in that team, the quality that’s burned us in the past, how there could be any sign of that.

“I just think these (games) never fail to deliver for as long as I can remember. Two passionate clubs, there is the locality that makes it a rivalry but there’s also the fact that we’ve contested so many great games together, so I’m sure Friday will be no different.”