Wigan coach Matt Peet highlights St Helens threats as he pays classy words to fierce rivals

Wigan coach Matt Peet has highlighted several key players for St Helens that will pose a threat to his side in tonight’s televised derby clash.

The Warriors face the Saints in Friday night’s televised Super League derby at the Totally Wicked Stadium, 8pm kick-off.

Wigan won the first game between the two on Good Friday, with Peet’s side coming out 14-6 winners in front of a packed house at the DW Stadium.

When asked about Saints’ biggest threats in his press conference, Peet said: “The same that it’s been for years…

“Jonny Lomax and Jack Welsby are two of the main threats, their forward pack is dynamic with Alex Walmsley leading that.

“They’re a team that are very strong across the park. I admire many of their players with the way they play.

“Obviously Konrad Hurrell is in good form. Mark Percival coming back last week, he is a player that really makes them tick, we like the way he plays the game.

“And obviously Tommy Makinson has got so much class about him, so they’ve got a very strong line-up.

“They’re well coached and have been successful for years, so there are no surprises. We know what’s coming and we’re prepared for it.”

Matt Peet on Wigan’s ‘healthy rivalry’ with St Helens

The rivalry dates back 128 years, with the two clubs playing out a 0-0 draw in front of 3,000 people at Knowsley Road in the very first one.

Wigan and St Helens have had many classic encounters over the years, always making this a popular game in online sports betting markets. Peet, a born and bred Wiganer, knows just how much this game means to the people of both towns.

He said: “For the two towns, there’s lots of healthy respect and healthy rivalry.

“There have been some great games contested between the two clubs and I don’t think Friday will be any different.

“I know other teams would like to think that they are our rivals but really, Wigan-Saints, because of the size of the game and the history and mutual respect, it’s a special game and whenever you run into these games there are always sub-plots. There might be one team flying, one team might be doing less well but as we’ve seen so many times, form counts for very little.

“They’ll be preparing for their best performance and we’ll be doing the same for ours.

“We’re really excited, they’ll be the same. For players and staff, these are the games you want to be involved in, same for the media I guess.”

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