Wigan Warriors’ Matt Peet reveals how his side beat Penrith Panthers to conquer the world

Proud Wiganer, 39, has won it all in just two seasons and two weeks as a head coach with his side’s brilliant display in controversial 16-12 World Club Challenge victory over NRL premiers

Wigan boss Matt Peet and captain Liam Farrell with their victorious Wigan side after beating Penrith Panthers in World Club Challenge(Paul Currie/SWpix.com)

Elated Matt Peet declared his “love” for his heroic Wigan side as they sealed a dramatic record-equalling fifth World Club Challenge title.

They delivered a true classic with three-peat NRL premiers Penrith in front of a rocking sold-out DW Stadium. The Super League champions needed Aussie full-back Jai Field to come to their rescue with some two brilliant try-saving tackles on Taylan May, including one dramatic last-ditch effort in the final second. Wiganer Peet, 39, has now won all FOUR major trophies despite only taking over in 2022.

He said: “Jai [Field] is an outstanding individual. But they’re just a group of outstanding lads. I love working with them; they never give in. It was a fantastic game between two outstanding teams – you could see all the way through what a fantastic team Penrith are. I couldn’t be prouder of my players; I love them to bits and everyone in the organisation deserves tonight.

“We play Penrith on another night and they can beat any team, they never give in. But tonight we wanted that a bit more. It was going to take a special effort to get over us. We just wanted it so much.”

There had already been plenty of controversy before video referee Chris Kendall poured over replays of that May effort at the death. There were huge doubts over Jake Wardle’s 57th minute match-winning try. Field dabbed a kick in and England centre Wardle showed great strength to gather on the run and get close. He looked short of the goalline. But referee Liam Moore awarded a try – and fellow Englishman Kendall confirmed it so.

Harry Smith slotted the second of his two goals for a 16-12 lead and Peet’s side dug deep for another famous victory in front of an electric crowd of 24,091. Kangaroos golden boy Nathan Cleary, rated the world’s greatest player, should have rescued the visitors. But the scrum-half spilled a gilt-edged pass with the line begging on the hour mark. And then Field produced his first remarkable try-saving tackle after May raced through.

Wigan boss Matt Peet applauds fans after an epic night(Cody Froggatt/News Images)

Ten of the Penrith starting 13 defeated by St Helens 12 months ago came here looking for redemption. But, despite leading 12-10 at the break after Cleary and Dylan Edwards converted tries, they left empty-handed. Panthers have now lost all four of their bids for this title having also fallen to Wigan at Anfield in 1991 and versus Bradford in 2004.

Wigan opened the scoring after player of the match Bevan French produced a sublime pass for Penrith-born Abbas Miski and Kruise Leeming also crossed in the first half. Penrith boss Ivan Cleary had few complaints. He said: “We couldn’t execute as well as they did. That was the difference: the points-scoring chances we missed. They were down there three times and they scored three tries.

“Wigan should be congratulated on their defence. They came up with some great scramble throughout the night. That [May effort] summed up the game; it’s a game of inches. It extremely close throughout the 80 minutes but we just couldn’t get it done.” Asked if Super League clubs are closing the gap on their NRL counterparts, he added: “I think definitely the better teams. Absolutely. The great thing about this competition is we get to see the best teams together. Wigan were just better tonight.”

Wigan’s Abbas Miski celebrates scoring against his hometown team Penrith(Paul Currie/SWpix.com)