Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet speaks out on BBC Sports Personality of the Year 'frustration'
Share:
Wigan boss Matt Peet says rugby league is finally getting the recognition it deserves after years of “frustration.”. Warriors were crowned Team of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. It’s the first time since St Helens in 2006 that a rugby league side has claimed the award and only the third time in its 64-year history.
Often, the sport even hardly gets a look-in at the glitzy event. Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is its only representative for the individual award when coming second behind Andy Murray in Rhinos’ treble-winning season of 2015. But after a remarkable quadruple-winning campaign, Wigan enjoyed centre stage last night, celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr’s VT detailing the ingredients that went into the mix for their glorious season. Peet, who was also shortlisted for Coach of the Year, admitted: “That’s the main point of satisfaction for me.
“I’ve watched this programme for many a year, waiting for the rugby league segment. And other than the odd year it’s been a passing mention and you can feel frustrated as a rugby league fan and rugby league person. “But our achievements have hopefully got a few more eyes on it, got us a bit more air-time tonight and might get us more space in the papers which is all good for the game.”.
Wigan, who also claimed the BBC SPOTY team award in 1994 after another all-conquering campaign, became the first club in the summer era to win all four major trophies. They beat NRL giants Penrith in the World Club Challenge, Sam Burgess’ Warrington in the Challenge Cup final, lifted the League Leaders’ Shield and then retained their Super League title by seeing off Hull KR in the Grand Final.
