Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet described Sunday’s Magic Weekend clash between Warrington Wolves as ‘strange’.
The Warriors won the game 22-20, with tries coming from Jai Field, Adam Keighran, Abbas Miski and Bevan French at St James’ Park and Peet was understandably delighted to keep up their rich vein of recent form and stay within two points of league leaders Hull KR.
Warrington gave as good as they got and Wigan to cling on in at times to claim their fifth straight win and send their fans home happy.
However, the pace of the game left the Warriors boss asking serious questions about the direction the sport is heading in, with a notable difference spotted in the way games are being officiated.
Wigan Warriors’ head coach makes criticism after Warrington Wolves clash
“Strange game,” Peet remarked at the start of his post-match press conference in Newcastle. “Pleased to get the points. I had a feeling it might be that kind of game and both teams will go home relatively pleased.
“We got the result but I think Warrington will be pleased with the performance. Very strange game and we’ll move on quick.
“I had every faith in the lads but nothing surprised me about that game, it was just an ebb and flow game.”
Asked why he felt the game was strange, he added: “They’re all strange aren’t they at the moment, very stop-start. There was a lot of moments where everyone looked at the ref. I can’t really be bothered saying too much.
“I think a few years ago everything we were talking about was about quickening things up, quickening the play the ball up, quickening the decision process, quickening any dead time up.
“Without any messaging that we’re going in the opposite direction, it’s just swung. It’s not just about today’s game, we’ve been talking about it for a while, it’s really strange. It’s not just our games. I don’t think there’ll be many tired games from that game today.”
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Neil Disley
May 5, 2025 at 10:45 am
I agree, the stop-start in each game nowadays is not good, detracts from the quality of the play and affects the audience experience. Referees have lost the ability to assert and make decisions, also these “high” tackles are being managed in a zero tolerance fashion, granted the players wellbeing and safety is priority, however, common sense should prevail.