Pundits debate St Helens’ ‘lost identity’ after Matt Peet comments amid one-week loan debate

Minutes after Wigan Warriors defeated St Helens 32-0 to make it to the Challenge Cup final, their head coach Matt Peet was still reflecting on the Good Friday defeat to Saints as he made a stinging comment towards the Red Vee.

Peet had explained why he was so confident of victory, pointing to that Good Friday derby defeat as a massive motivator, in particular Saints’ celebrations that day after loanee Bill Leyland won St Helens the game.

“I think it showed they’ve lost their identity,” Peet told the BBC, something that surprised even his CEO Kris Radlinski, who had to play the diplomat when he spoke to the broadcaster.

Whether you agree with Peet’s comments or not, they’ve certainly sparked debate with BBC pundits Kevin Brown and Jon Wilkin both having their say after the match.

Wilkin said: “I think Matty Peet’s comments there are deep, it’s not just a shallow line. I think referring to a loan player coming in for one week, the optics of that I’m not sure. It’s almost a legacy from Salford where it became acceptable to just flip players around willy nilly.

“I’ve openly said that I don’t like that but Matty Peet was obviously lining us up to that point, saying that a loan player has come and won you Good Friday and you celebrated in front of your fans.

“He believes that’s a loss of identity, I’m not sure, but it’s a big call isn’t it?”

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St Helens identity debate rages after Matt Peet’s comments

Brown would continue the tirade against one-week loans as he pointed to the fact that St Helens have so often had success over the years because of the fact they have blooded their own young talents.

He said: “When Saints had that period of winning back to back trophies, it was because of people like Jon (Wilkin) coming through the system. Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax, James Roby, you’ve got to give them exposure.

“Last week they brought Bill Leyland over to rest a player. I’ve never seen that. They’ve got Tom Humphreys, they’ve got Jonny Lomax, they’ve got so many players that would die to play for St Helens.”

Wilkin would wrap up on the one-week loan situation, calling for it be looked at, noting: “I just think it’s a bad look for a sport that is elite and trades being elite.”

As aforementioned, Wigan’s CEO Kris Radlinksi also had his say on Peet’s comments, stating that he only intends to put his energy into running the Warriors rather than being concerned how St Helens, or any other club, operate.

The CEO said: “Matt’s come through our youth system himself. It’s succession, he gives young lads the chance. We saw another one today, and that’s what we believe, that’s what he believes. He leads our club in that respect, so he obviously feels strongly about it, and he’s got a right to his opinion.”