Matt Peet insists things money cannot buy will help Wigan conquer the world
MATT Peet has already realised money is not everything – it will certainly not buy Wigan the World Club title.
Instead, it is the values the town is built on that could propel them to victory over NRL champions Penrith Panthers, and billionaire owner Mike Danson agrees.
With the riches of the data magnate behind them, the Warriors could spend their way to trophies.
However, boss Peet believes something money cannot buy is behind their rise to the top on this side of the world and can conquer Australia‘s best.
He said: “I’ve spoken to Mike a lot and it’s very healthy.
“He’s asked a lot of quality questions and I can see he’s a man who has high standards, you see that across his other businesses, but he’s also a man who cares about the community and the town.
“We’ve probably had as many communications about where the club can make a difference off the field as where we can win on it. Wealth doesn’t come into it for me.
“I can only talk about while I’ve been in post and mine and our chief executive Kris Radlinski’s philosophy.
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“We work really closely and are aligned in what we feel the club should stand for. Mike’s bought into that too.
“We haven’t reinvented the wheel, a lot of what we’re promoting is what’s brought success to this club in the past, the things our town’s built on anyway – hard work, honesty and looking after one another.”
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Peet and Wigan’s preparations started with not conceding a try as they slogged their way in the west to a 32-4 opening day Super League win at Castleford.
Now for world glory in front of more than 24,000 fans at a DW Stadium that has been sold out for months.
Victory would see the World Club Challenge trophy travel all the way from St Helens, the fierce rivals he cheered to victory last year.
But he is adamant the noise will not throw the three-times defending NRL premiers off.
Peet added: “Absolutely I admired Saints.
“I feel like whenever a Super League team comes up against an NRL team, you’ve got to cheer for your own first.
“I work in Super League and British rugby league, so I want it to thrive. That was a great night and one that’ll go down in history.
“Saturday’s going to be unbelievable and I feel it’s the result of hard work over the last few years – on the training field, the way we’ve played or community engagement and the messages the club puts out.
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“But I don’t think a sell out will throw them off, they’ve been through enough. They’re a well-oiled machine and have faced every test they could face.
“It’ll be two teams striving for their best performance and whoever gets closest will win.”