Challenge Cup Final Preview #4 - Matty Peet

In 2019, Wigan appointed Shaun Edwards as Head Coach for the 2020 season, with Adrian Lam to take the role on an interim basis in 2019. In April of that year, Edwards resiled from the deal (which it transpired was based on a handshake and a contract was never signed). It was a deeply embarrassing episode for Wigan to be so publicly rejected by a club legend.

It also raised questions over how Wigan did their business. Although, even had a contract been signed, there would have been little benefit in Wigan holding Edwards to that contract when he had made his intentions clear.

Lam took the job permanently and had a mixed reign. He led Wigan to the minor premiership in 2020 and to within a whisker of Grand Final success. The wheels fell off in 2021 with an inauspicious start and an abysmal end with an attack even more limp than my efforts to maintain a houseplant in the early days of lockdown!

The pressure was growing, but Lenagan resisted sacking Lam. That's not how he works. He has never sacked a coach at Wigan. It wasn't a surprise to see Wigan choosing not to extend Lam's contract though, the optics would have been terrible. Lenagan stuck with another tradition when making his new appointment. He appointed a coach who has never coached at first team level.

Matt Peet, a relatively unknown backroom coach took the reigns. Peet was far less visible under previous reigns than other coaches such as John Winder, who has since left the club. Peet is now part of a coaching team including Sean O' Loughlin, the returning Shaun Wane and Lee Briers (who by all accounts is highly influential).

Wigan have been transformed under Peet. In 2021, they averaged fewer points per game than relegated Leigh. In 2022, they are the top points scorers in Super League. A lot of that is to do with the mercurial Jai Field, a player transformed at full back, who is now the heavy favourite for Man of Steel.

From an outsider's perspective, Peet comes across well. In the build up to the derby with St Helens, he spoke of respect rather than hatred. He made little effort to defend Sam Powell's awful crusher tackle on Jon Bennison, showing greater concern for the young man's wellbeing. Even when Zak Hardaker left the club under a cloud, Peet offered an olive branch and wished him well, when many others would not have. Put simply, he seems like a downright good bloke.

Saying that, his outwardly placid and pleasant demeanour does not equate to him suffering fools. Zak Hardaker was punished by being dropped for the Good Friday derby due to lateness. And when the time came for a decision on Hardaker's future, there was no room for sentiment. From what I hear, the go to word at Wigan is 'standards'. Peet is reportedly huge on ensuring that the team satisfies the standards he sets.

That means a professional attitude, punctuality and engaging with fans and the local community, something that has slipped in recent years. And it is bringing rewards with it. Peet has the chance to lift the Challenge Cup at the first opportunity he had with his hometown club on Saturday. What an endorsement of his appointment that would be.