Matty Peet spoke of his sadness and admitted the best team won after Wigan Warriors’ Super League title hopes were crushed by a 20-8 play-off semi-final home defeat to Leeds Rhinos. The Cherry and Whites battered Leeds’ line for much of the opening 40 minutes but had only Liam Marshall’s clinically-executed try to show for it.
Zak Hardaker’s penalty got Leeds off the mark shortly after star winger Bevan French picked up a knock as he made a break during the first half. The Rhinos attacked the end where their vociferous 4,000-strong support was housed in the second half. After Zane Tetevano was denied from close range, Jarrod O’Connor – son of former Wigan prop Terry O’Connor – scampered over the line.
French then departed in clear discomfort with a foot injury before James Bentley touched down a kick from Aidan Sezer inside the right channel, with Hardaker converting to put Leeds 14-4 up. Moments later, Sezer launched a kick downfield and was caught late and high by England forward John Bateman, who was promptly dismissed.
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Leeds had their third try when Bentley dived over the line in the final quarter before Sam Powell’s consolation score. Peet, who guided Wigan to Challenge Cup glory earlier this season, said: “I’m sad because I would have liked another week with the players preparing for another game.
“But I remain really proud of the group – the players and the staff – because it has been a special year and I’m really appreciative of everyone’s commitment and the buy-in that we’ve had. I think Leeds deserve an enormous amount of credit for the way they played. There was a period early in the second half when they were better than us.
“The sending-off probably left the game a little bit beyond us. It’s disappointing, there is no shying away from it, but we know we have done some good things. I think the players have managed to create a massive shift in the club’s culture and the foundations are in place. What we do next will be critical.” Peet said of French’s injury: “He thought he was okay at half-time but it wasn’t to be. He thought he could continue after giving it his best shot.”
The match was a sad way for retiring club legend Thomas Leuluai. “Thomas’ career speaks for itself and we’d all love a fairytale ending, but his whole career has been a fairytale,” added Peet. “It’s something he and his family should be really proud of and I’m privileged to have played a small part in it.”
Bateman is set for a ban after his red card and that looks certain to cover a number of England games, with the World Cup looming. Peet said: “It would be sad if it did (impacted Bateman’s World Cup involvement). But I suppose they have got to stick what they have done all season. It would be shame if it means England miss out on John, but it wouldn’t surprise me.”
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