No one individual will separate this game: Matt Peet believes Good Friday derby will be about key moments
Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.
Wigan boss Matt Peet believes the Good Friday derby against St Helens will be more about moments than individuals, with his side having lost Jai Field, Cade Cust and Willie Isa ahead of the clash.
Field, 25, is set for a 10-week spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over Leigh. He had featured in every game so far this season, scoring five tries.
Australian half-back Cust will be sidelined for an unconfirmed period of time with a bulging disk in his neck. He missed last week’s Battle of the Borough 34-6 win at the Leigh Sports Village.
Winger Liam Marshall also missed the clash with a minor injury and is a potential to be a boost for the Warriors.
Jake Wardle will free to play, having been sent to the sin-bin against the Leopards for a late tackle on opposition full-back Gareth O’Brien.
However, back-rower Willie Isa copped a one-match ban for a late contact on passer and will miss the much-anticipated clash.
Wigan had enjoyed an injury-free start to the season, but boss Peet will now be without several key individuals, while it would appear likely that Bevan French will once again feature at full-back.
Despite the injury and disciplinary concerns, Peet believes Friday’s derby at the DW Stadium will be about moments, not individuals.
Matt Peet: No one individual will separate this game
“It’s actually quite exciting for coaches when you get these sorts of challenges,” Peet said.
“Kai (Pearce-Paul) has been champing at the bit and has done a little bit there (at back-row) during pre-season so we’ve got options.
“You always wish someone was available for every game but I think you know in pre-season with the way you practice and put your squad together that the full 25/30 is going to be tested.
“No one individual will separate this game, it will be about moments, team commitment and the way opportunities get presented, so I genuinely don’t feel like this week makes that much difference.”
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