Boss Matt Peet reckons Abbas Miski’s return to form and fitness has put Wigan Warriors in “a good position” ahead of the Super League play-offs.
The winger has endured a disrupted year because of injury, but made his second successive appearance when Wigan ended their regular Betfred Super League campaign with a 22-6 home win over Leeds Rhinos on Friday.
Miski was among the Warriors’ try scorers and Wigan head coach Peet feels he is coming good at the right time. “It seems that way,” he said in his post-match press conference.
“He has had a painful year with different procedures, injections and bouts of rehabilitation, but he seems to be in a good place at the moment, which we always hoped he would be.
“Without Zach [Eckersley] putting a foot wrong, I thought it was a good opportunity to look at Abbas tonight and now I have got a decision to make with the semi-final in mind. It’s a good position to be in.”
Wigan Warriors coach explains full-strength selection against Leeds Rhinos
The Warriors head coach decided against resting players, despite Wigan having nothing to play for on the table. Explaining why, he said: “I know I can trust the lads who missed out. If we had got stung by an injury or as suspension I have every confidence in the 21 and beyond.”
Wigan now have a weekend off before a home semi-final against the highest-ranked winners from the elimination play-offs.
Leeds were without some of their most influential players, but battled hard and Peet believes it was a good tune-up for his men.
“There were elements from the first 20 minutes we’ll look back and learn from,” he said. “But Leeds are a good team.
“When lads are ripping into each other, it’s as tough as you get in Super League, so those opening exchanges, we will learn from.
“We managed to get a few lads off in the second half, particularly the ones who had disciplinary points, so I think at that point the game probably just fizzled out for both teams a little bit.”
Peet added: “I think both teams will go home relatively pleased. There wasn’t a great deal in it, but we executed a few moments, last plays and bits of skill that maybe if they had their talent on the field, they could have posted points as well.
“They are a good team, they don’t get beaten by many; they all know their role, they are physical, they are fit and I think both teams will come through healthy, so we’ll take it.”
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