Matt Peet is under no doubt his Wigan Warriors side are up against a 'quality team' in Hull FC this Sunday afternoon. In fact, the 'unknown' nature of the Black and Whites this year – with John Cartwright putting together a competitive team – has made them even more of a threat.
But Wigan now know all about that threat. The last time the two sides met, Hull stunned the reigning champions to turn a 22-6 Challenge Cup deficit into a 26-22 victory with an amazing comeback.
For Peet, it was the manner of that comeback that stood out, and while Hull have been credited for their grit, resilience, and the like this year, they can also play a stern attacking brand of rugby league.
They play off a dangerous shape led by John Asiata, with Aidan Sezer also pulling the strings and now Will Pryce coming into the line as a dangerous running threat. Add to that two pacey wingers – Lewis Martin and Harvey Barron; quality young players like Davy Litten; and ultimate pros in Zak Hardaker, and it's not hard to see why Hull are turning a few heads.
But that process has been a collective effort, one highlighted by Peet from club CEO Richie Myler right through to the work Simon Grix did in laying some key foundations under incredibly tough circumstances last term.
"I think we’re up against a quality team," Peet told Wigan Today in his pre-match press conference. "When I say they are a surprise package, they are probably a little bit of the unknown because they had such a high turnover and a new coach, but they’ve certainly delivered.
"I like the way they play, I like the way they carry themselves, and I like the way John speaks. I think you can tell he’s been around the block; his teams are very well put together, very tough and very committed, but I also think they move the ball as well as any team in the competition, which John has spoken openly about.
"When you recruit players like John Asiata, Aidan Sezer and Jordan Rapana, with the quality of young players they’ve managed to unearth through the adversity over the last season or so, they’ve quickly got the makings of a top team again. It’s credit to the work by Richie and the board who have put that squad together and recruited John, Andy Last, and Grixy in the first place.
"I think I’ve said in the past, the work Simon Grix did last year against adversity instilled some good ethics in the club, and that’s probably the foundation this year has been built on."
Sunday's round nine Super League fixture will be the third meeting of the two sides this season, who first clashed at the MKM Stadium back in February – a game Wigan won 46-4. One of six loop fixtures, they will now meet again, with Peet predicting a game akin to the thrilling cup tie last month.
"I think they were missing a few players when we went there," Peet added. "We had some adversity, and they were excellent when they came here, so I just think it is two good teams.
"Things will happen in the game, and it will be whoever deals with it the best. Obviously, it’s an exciting stadium to visit with a great atmosphere, so I wouldn’t read too much into the last two games other than knowing there are two teams who are capable of beating each other on their day.
"It’s a great place to go and play; it’s a challenge. They’ve gone from not being fancied last year to right in the mix this year. For us, it's another opportunity to go and play at a great arena against a quality team."
