Wigan Warriors might have beaten rivals Leigh Leopards but head coach Matt Peet is still calling on his side to improve their performance going forward.
It’s fair to say, and Peet would admit as such, that Leigh were better in the first half but Wigan fired back as the Warriors won 20-8 to keep pace with Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos and with a fixture against the league leaders still to come, it means the League Leaders Shield remains a possibility.
When speaking post-match, Man of the Match Jai Field referenced that silverware and Matt Peet was also asked if it was a target, admitting: “Of course, you want to finish as high up the table as you can, you want to win as many games as you can, but we’ll only do that by concentrating on being better.”
One are where they’ll need to be better is in their starts with Leigh on top in the first 40 minutes and Peet explained: “I thought we needed to improve in the first half, I thought we were second best and the score reflected it and we managed our way out of a situation there.
“There was nothing wrong with our effort or our intent in the first half but we turned a few play one errors over, Leigh kicked very well, and we didn’t nail our last plays, so that has a big effect on the game.
“I thought defensively, we let one try, which I know we’d want to do better, but other than that, I thought we were rock solid.”
Where Wigan Warriors will improve as defining moment hailed
Despite being outplayed for around 35 minutes of the first 40, Wigan flipped the script when Jai Field took a quick tap on his own line, catching out the Leigh to defenders to race the length of the pitch for a try.
On that try, Peet admitted: “They can be defining moments and first and foremost, it came off the connection of our defence as well, forcing those turnovers and then we’ve got the talent and the instinct to take advantage.
“You don’t want to be winning that way every week, but it’s good to know it’s in the locker. Like I say, I’m very proud of the win.
“Finding different ways to win, coming through different tests is always good for a team on a journey like a Super League season. I am proud of it. I know we need to be better, but I’m really happy to see the team overcome that situation.”
As for how his side can and will improve, he explained: “The most important part at the moment is the character and sticking together next to the group.
“I think a lot of it will be with the ball, Liam Marshall making a few catches that he normally does, but I think at times we’re a little bit disorganised with the ball, and some of that’s down to the pressure the Leigh put us under.
“We need to ride those periods better, and I thought a second half at one point we were 97 per cent. We know if we get teams in that position that we can cause problems. I just think the clarity and execution of our attack (is where we can improve).”
Wigan Warriors defeat Leigh Leopards after overturning a half-time deficit! 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ao8RtZolpd
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) July 31, 2026
