Matt Peet gracious in defeat, John Bateman red card & Tommy Leuluai tribute
Wigan coach Matt Peet said Leeds deserve “enormous amount of credit” for their display after the Warriors were eliminated from the Super League play-offs.
The Warriors were stunned 20-8 by Leeds in the Super League semi-finals at the DW Stadium on Friday night. The Rhinos will now face the winner of St Helens and Salford at Old Trafford next Saturday.
“I’m sad for the group but remain really proud of the group,” said Peet, who guided his hometown club to to Challenge Cup success in his first year as head coach. “It’s been a special year.
“Leeds deserve enormous amount of credit for the way they played, for the way they defended their goal-line in particular.
“They showed great resilience, which is a sign of commitment to each other.”
John Bateman red card
Wigan forward John Bateman was sent off in the 50th minute for a late and high hit on Leeds half-back Aidan Sezer. He will face an anxious wait to discover if his World Cup place is in jeopardy, with the Rugby Football League’s match review panel to take a look at the incident in more detail on Monday.
“I’ve no complaints,” said Wigan coach Matt Peet. “We understand the rules.
“John had all the best intentions, it was a split-second error. I hope Aidan’s okay.
“It would be sad if he got a ban, but I suppose they’ve got to stick what they’ve done all season. It would be a shame if misses out on World Cup games.”
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Matt Peet pays tribute to Tommy Leuluai
Wigan’s defeat brought an end to the illustrious career of Wigan captain Tommy Leuluai, who played his 327th career appearance.
Peet said: “His career speaks for itself, it’s been a fairytale his family should be proud of.”
Leuluai will pull on the New Zealand shirt for one last time in their World Cup warm-up match against Leeds in October. He will join Wigan’s backroom staff from 2023.
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