Matt Peet reveals the blow Wigan Warriors suffered before their game against St Helens

Wigan’s game with St Helens yesterday will go down as one of the greatest games in Magic Weekend history.

After Wigan had taken a 12-2 lead with tries from Bevan French and a spectacular one from John Bateman, Saints battled back to make it 12-10 thanks to tries from Joe Batchelor and Jack Welsby neither of which were converted.

However, Jon Bennison would have the chance to level the game when Brad Singleton was sent off for making contact with Curtis Sironen’s head.

Despite that it still looked like Wigan were set for the win when a piece of magic from Jai Field and Bevan French gave them an 18-12 lead.

However, two late tries from Regan Grace and Jonny Lomax saw the Saints snatch it.

It was one of those games for Wigan where it could have been very different but for the bounce of a ball and of course the red card to Singleton.

Even in terms of team selection if things had have been different the Warriors may have won.

There seemed to be a surprise omission in the Wigan line up with Kai Pearce-Paul who has played brilliantly when fit in 2022. This prompted some to speculate this his supposed move to Newcastle Knights may have had an impact on his selection.

However Matt Peet revealed that he was set to feature but was ill the night before.

He said: “Kai Pearce-Paul was set to play but he was taken ill over night.”

This demonstrates another piece of luck that didn’t go in Wigan’s favour showing the fine margins in this great rivalry which is at present set to culminate in a Grand Final rematch.

As to who will be crowned Champions, Peet believes it will be the side with the best squad: “Every squad is being tested at the moment and the teams that contest the big games will be the ones where the whole squad stands up to the test.”