Leeds Rhinos vs Wigan Warriors

THE COACH
Before last week’s game, head coach Matt
Peet was presented with the August Betfred
Coach of the month award, which he accepted
somewhat sheepishly, preferring to look ahead
at the bigger prize. “It is always about trying to
string some performances together. I just want
us to play well,” he acknowledged. “There are still
areas we can improve on. It’s all about trying to
build for the Play Offs. We have to give ourselves
the best opportunity to perform in a few weeks.
We have to be ready to go.” He is wary of what
happened last year when, having gone through
the season unbeaten at home, Leeds ended
their Old Trafford dreams at the DW Stadium.
Peet began coaching at Westhoughton
Lions U12s, moving on to Wigan St Pats and
included in his various roles in his 13-year
association with the club, he has been the
Warrior’s performance coach and head of
youth development and performance, as
well as England academy assistant coach
for three years. Alongside him this season
is retired half back Tommy Leuluai together
with fellow club legend Sean O’Loughlin.
37 | RHINOS VS WIGAN WARRIORS
LEADER
Club captain Liam Farrell has again been
in outstanding form in 2023. His try that
opened proceedings against Salford last
week put him on the verge of overtaking
Keiron Cunningham as the most prolific
forward in Super League history, his eighth of
the campaign in 26 outings, taking him to 138
in 347 appearances. Last year he was named
in the Super League Dream Team for a fourth
year in a row and signed a new three-year
deal to keep him at Wigan until 2025. A
product of the Wigan academy having played
for the club’s U18s and 20s teams, the cousin
of Andy made his debut in 2010 and went
on to complete a dream first season, which
included winning the Grand Final against
St Helens. That is one of four rings, which
also saw him awarded the Harry Sunderland
trophy in 2016. He played twice for England
in the 2013 World Cup as part of a total of
eleven caps, including appearances in the
2014 and 2016 Four Nations tournaments.