Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet has reminded his players of their need to be ‘concentrated and smart’ for Friday’s clash with St Helens, with the game one that has in recent years boiled over.
Cards have been shown in three of the last four Good Friday derbies with the last two editions seeing a total of three sin bins and one red card, with the majority of those cards being shown to Wigan.
Moses Mbye and Sam Walters were sent to the bin in 2025 as Wigan won at home but the year prior it was St Helens who won, with the Red Vee capitalising on a sin bin for Tyler Dupree and a send-off for Liam Byrne.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s meeting against St Helens, Wigan boss Matt Peet spoke about the rivalry as well as what will be required of his players.
“It’s born out of respect because you know the other team do a great job on and off the field, and they’re supported by genuine rugby people who know the game,” he said of the rivalry in quotes shared on the club’s website.
Wigan Warriors boss calls for smarts in intense derby
The game will be played at a sold-out BrewDog Stadium with Peet well aware that it will be a loud and hostile environment.
“It’s a fixture everyone looks forward to and the crowd will bring an intensity to the game,” he said.
“There’s no doubt the players on both teams will deliver, and it will be fine margins and big moments that separate the winners and losers.”
Of St Helens, who also head into the game on the back of a disappointing loss, Peet said: “They will be ultra-committed and looking to bring an intensity and physicality like they have done for most the year. With the backline and spine they have, and the way Paul likes his teams to play, they will be looking to challenge us on every play.”
In terms of what that means for his own side, he added: “There will be the energy and physicality you’d expect in a Good Friday Derby, and we’ve got to be concentrated and smart.”
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