Matt Peet insists Wigan Warriors star isn't underrated after Huddersfield demolition job

Wigan boss Matt Peet was pleased with his side’s second-half performance after they moved back to the top of Betfred Super League with a 48-6 thrashing of Huddersfield. Liam Byrne was sin-binned in the first minute but that did not stop Wigan from taking the lead through Liam Marshall’s breakaway try and Harry Smith’s penalty edged the Warriors further in front before Elliot Wallis grabbed the Giants’ only effort.

Bevan French restored the Warriors’ six-point advantage heading into the interval and ruthless Wigan scored 36 unanswered points and six tries in the second period. Marshall scored early again and French grabbed his second midway through the half before the winger completed his hat-trick. Kruise Leeming also crossed and Abbas Miski went over twice following Esan Marsters’ late sin-bin as the dominant Warriors climbed above St Helens with a game in hand.

Peet said: “I thought that it was a tough game, much tougher than the scoreline suggests as it always is against Huddersfield. Huddersfield were probably the better team and they exposed us through some good plays. It was pleasing to get the opportunity for the lads to regroup and I thought second half was a job well done.

“I’d like to dominate the whole game but that’s just the way it unfolds, you can’t account for a sin-bin first play of the game and the way Huddersfield play you are not going to win these games from the first minute to the last. You just want to keep momentum and keep improving, you don’t know when you’re having a bad day or a good day. You’ve just got to stay level.”

Peet was quick to applaud Smith who kicked seven conversions and a penalty. He added: “I thought Harry Smith managed the game well. He played with a lot of composure. Because of the heat, we needed a calm head but the way he organised and got the ball where it needed to be and kicked the ball very well. People who watch rugby league know a good player when they see one, Smith is not under-rated and he is well thought of.”

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