Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet has admitted he’s perhaps been ‘too defensive-minded’ in recent weeks but Saturday’s win over Bradford Bulls was far from that, as the head coach backed the club’s academy talents to stand up.
That they did as Wigan ran out to a 38-14 win over Bradford Bulls, snapping their run of Super League defeats but also putting in a performance that could be visibly identified as a Wigan Warriors one.
Injuries and suspensions to key players have forced Peet’s hand in some of his team selections with senior players out of position, but Saturday saw him back the club’s academy starlets to get it done.
That meant that 17-year-old George Marsden partnered 20-year-old Jack Farrimond in the halves with the pair both impressing, Marsden on debut and Farrimond having his best game in weeks.
Assessing the result post-match, Peet admitted: “There was a bit of the unknown with George and Jack in the halves, and Noah (Hodkinson) playing his first game on the wing.
“I have been playing people out of position, maybe a little bit too defensive-minded at times. That’s something I’ve reflected on, and spoke to the coaches about. George is very young, he doesn’t train with us full-time, so it was a decent decision to make and we certainly looked more fluent.”
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That fluency originated in the halves with Farrimond looking the most comfortable he has in a while, whilst Marsden did everything that was asked of him with his eye for a pass a particularly impressive attribute.
The duo broke a 41-year-old record as they became the youngest Wigan halves pairing since 1985, with their combined age of 38 years, four months and eight days younger than Super League’s top try-scorer Ryan Hall.
On Marsden, Peet said: “Similar to a lot of our part-time lads, George joins in with our big session. You always get a similar level of performance from George because he knows his role, he’s very intelligent and he’s a tough kid.
“He’s a credit to everyone he’s worked for over the years. He’s a proper scrum-half who knows the game, and it was a good first game for him.”
One of the beneficiaries of Wigan’s slick half-back play from the two youngsters was fellow youngster Noah Hodkinson, a natural full-back who played on the wing amid the injury to Liam Marshall, who scored a hat-trick.
Peet said: “Everything I’ve seen Noah do this year has given me confidence. He’s been good when he’s had his First Team games and he’s been excellent in the Reserves and training. He looks like someone who is just ready for this level at moment.”
