Matt Peet gives Zach Eckersley update after Wigan Warriors back leaves field on stretcher

Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet has provided an injury update on Zach Eckersley after he was stretchered from the field against Leigh Leopards.

The 21-year-old outside back had been recalled to the team in place of the injured Abbas Miski and he went very well, scoring a centre before his night was ended early after a crusher-style tackle.

That tackle resulted in Eckersley laying prone and requiring medical attention with the medics attending to him for ten minutes before stretchering him from the field to rapturous applause from those at the Brick Community Stadium.

The tackle by Alec Tuitavake was placed on report with referee Chris Kendall explaining: “There’s a potential dangerous contact but there is a lot to dissect in this kind of tackle. We’re unsure if it is foul play or not so it is going to go on report and it will be looked at on Monday.”

Leigh would score after play resumed but Wigan held on for a 36-28 win which sent them atop Super League.

Wigan Warriors boss gives Eckersley update after Leigh Leopards win

Head coach Matt Peet spoke post-match and among his assessment of the game provided an update on Eckersley.

Peet confirmed: “He’s going to go to Salford now and get the relevant checks. He’s in there with his family and he’s going to leave now. So yeah, fingers crossed. Fingers crossed.

“He’s a great kid, he was playing well tonight but at the moment, it’s just his health that becomes paramount.”

Eckersley had been one of Wigan’s strong performers but the Warriors kept getting pegged back by Leigh in what Peet described as a game of ‘momentum’

He explained: “It was a game of changes in momentum and we need to be better when we don’t have momentum, that’s for sure.

“Leigh are a good team and that’s what happens when you play against good teams. You don’t get things all your own way and there was a point there where I thought they might get us.”

Asked if it was frustrating that his side could not kick on and kill the game off, he responded: “Of course it is and that’s where we need to improve and develop. That’s the lessons that the season brings.

“You’re not going to be great every week and the good thing is when you’re not great and you pick up the wins, particularly when you play other teams in and around you. I thought Leigh were fantastic and they exposed a few areas that we need to learn from and that’s good.”

Bevan French was handed yet another Man of the Match award with his assist for Eckersley’s try being the pick of the bunch and Peet pointed to him as the difference maker once again.

“He’s a special talent,” the Wigan Warriors boss explained.

“We’re very fortunate to work with him. I think that’s the difference on nights where you’re not at your best. You’ve got to rely on flashes of brilliance that some of our players have. We want to be better, so we’re not relying on that but tonight it’s lucky we had him.”

After a hard fought 80 minutes, @WiganWarriorsRL take the 2 points in Round 11 🍒#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/QxdXRstnw8

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 16, 2025