Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet has explained the reasons behind Bevan French’s selection in this afternoon’s Challenge Cup Final.
French returned to the side after three months out with a torn hamstring. It was believed that he still had another few weeks of recovery to go, so when his name was put in the 21-man squad this week, eyebrows were rasied.
Thankfully, he was able to get on the field and he very nearly made an instant impact, scoring with only his second touch of the ball however it was ruled out for a forward pass.
The Australian did manage to get on the scoresheet in the 40-10 win over Hull KR, as Wigan claimed their record-extending 22nd Challenge Cup trophy.
“Yeah, very pleased,” Peet said when giving his overall thoughts. “I think in games like this, you take a one-point win, so to win in that manner, I’m very, very proud.
“The lads have worked hard for it. A couple of soft tries conceded, but not complaining.”
Peet spoke pre-match about the desire to win, and setting the tone physically right from the off. “We did [that], and I thought we would,” he said.
“We were intelligent as well, and we gave ourselves a great chance in these conditions, so very proud of the club.”
Wigan Warriors boss discusses Jack Farrimond and Bevan French decisions in Challenge Cup Final win
As mentioned, the big news of the afternoon came 90 minutes before kick-off, where star half-back French was named on the bench, with Jack Farrimond partnering Harry Smith as the starting six and seven.
In a pre-match interview, Smith revealed that Wigan planned to only use French if they really needed him, and Peet echoed that statement after full-time.
“I wasn’t going to put Bevan on,” he said. “I asked him, and I said, ‘Are you bothered if I don’t put you on?’
“The reaction told me he was a bit p***** off, so I felt I had to do the right thing by him as well.
“It probably played out perfectly for us. I didn’t need Bevan, but he had a run out.”
Farrimond’s 60-minute cameo was enough to earn him the Lance Todd trophy award, with his two first-half tries and an assist to go with it swaying the rugby league media in his favour.
Peet praised the 19-year-old half-back’s efforts this afternoon, and he also believes that the youngster, as well as plenty of other academy products have stepped up in recent weeks that that has led them to where they are today.
“Well, if he [Farrimond] hadn’t [stepped up], we wouldn’t be here, would we?” Peet said.
“I’m so satisfied. We need them players to step up in this club. Noah [Hodkinson], Zach Eckersley, Junior [Nsemba], Ethan [Havard], that’s what we’re building.
“Ultimately, we look intelligent because they deliver.”
