A new Rugby League dynasty may just have started

Wigan Warriors have been crowned the 2023 Super League Champions after defeating Catalans Dragons this weekend. This victory not only ended their bitter rivals St Helens grip hold on the top flight, but it could also mark the start of a new Cherry and White dynasty.

The Warriors came into this season with plenty of optimism following a successful 2022 campaign which saw them lift the Challenge Cup and finish second in Super League; however they were stunned by a red-hot Leeds Rhinos side in the semi-final.

The Cherry and Whites played out a brilliant campaign, ending the season top of the tree, narrowly pipping Catalans and St Helens on points difference, and having the best attack and defence in the league. Their good form was rewarded with a home semi-final too in which they dismantled Hull KR, then they took on the Dragons at Old Trafford. It was a cagey affair in the showpiece; but ultimately the Warriors ground out a 10-2 win to put the icing on the cake and crown them Super League champions.

This title sets them up very nicely for 2024, and could easily be the start of an era of Wigan Warriors dominance in Super League.

The first factor is of course the playing squad. Wigan already have a squad loaded with stars, but the recruits they’ve brought in for 2024 will only make it better. They have added real fire power to their pack, with the likes of Sam Walters and Luke Thompson penning a deal to take them to the DW.

These two will add some depth to a middle unit that already contains Tyler Dupree, Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Patrick Mago and Kaide Ellis. Another addition to Wigan’s pack is Kruise Leeming. He will also add some strong depth to a good hooker unit of Brad O’Neil and Sam Powell.

Leeming has shown glimpses of his ability during his time in Super League, and his time in Australia will have undoubtedly have made him a better player. He also comes back to the UK with a point to prove after his exit from the Rhinos, so we should see the best of Leeming next year in Cherry and White.

These signings have given a completely new edge to an already formidable Wigan Warriors pack, and this will really boost their chances of defending their title next season.

Another new addition at the DW is Catalans Dragons centre Adam Keighran. Keighran will slot straight into the side in place of outgoing Toby King, who will return to the Halliwell Jones. This is yet another shrewd piece of business from the Warriors.

Keighran is not only a great playmaker, but he is brilliant off the tee with a goal percentage of 78.2%  (72/92); this is much higher than current Wigan goal-kicker Harry Smith, who had just a success rate of 65.1% from the tee (97/149).

Giving Keighran the kicking duties next season will not only result in more points on the board for the Warriors, but it also allow Smith to just focus on playing. Harry Smith is a brilliant half-back, as we saw in the Grand-Final; and without the added pressure of goal-kicking on him next year, he can focus solely on playing which will only make him a better player than he already is.

The Warriors squad for next year is looking deadly already. They have strengthened in key areas, and replaced departing players with some real quality signings; but they would be nowhere without Head Coach Matty Peet.

Since his appointment back in 2022, Peet has helped add three pieces of silverware to the Warriors already very full cabinet, in the form of the Challenge Cup, League Leaders Shield and the Super League trophy.

It’s not just the silverware that Peet has brought in too, he has helped Wigan turn on the flair in attack. In his two years at the helm, the Warriors have scored a collective 1548 points in the 2022 and 2023 regular seasons. This attacking flair has also seen them have the best points difference in both of his seasons in charge.

Peet has the Warriors playing a great brand of attacking Rugby which often goes under the radar. This season alone they beat Leeds Rhinos 50-0 at Headingley, thrashed Wakefield Trinity 60-0, 64-6 against a rotated Hull KR side; and also put some huge scores on Catalans Dragons and Leigh Leopards. If the Warriors carry on this brand of attacking rugby, they will do very well next year.

Peet is a brilliant coach in his own right, and has reinvigorated the Warriors, however the team around him have also helped him and the players. Sean O’Loughlin and Tommy Leuluai have been cited by many of the current group for their influence on the team.

2023 Man of Steel Bevan French spoke really highly of the coaching group during an exclusive interview with Serious About Rugby League, and specifically cited the influence this pair had had on him during his transition into the halves: “I’ve got people like Tommy (Leuluai) in the coaching staff that helps me along with the role and Lockers (Sean O’Loughlin) is helping me here and there and Matty’s a great coach as well.”

The coaching group as a whole have really allowed the players to reach their potential, and they will quickly have an effect on the new signings too; which will help lay a platform for success in 2024.

The challenge ahead of the Warriors is simple now, they need to build on the success they achieved this season. With the squad they have assembled, and the coaching of Matt Peet they have every possibility to do this and build a Rugby League dynasty.