Wigan head coach Matt Peet now knows his side will face Leigh Leopards in the semi-finals and there is one thing he is sure of: The Warriors are hungrier than ever.
As reward for finishing second in the regular Super League season, Wigan Warriors have had a week to sit back and have now learnt they will face their borough rivals Leigh Leopards after they beat Wakefield Trinity in the play-offs.
The 'Battle of the Borough' has delivered already this season, starting 2025 with a bang with Leigh's 1-0 win, and now one of them will be heading to Old Trafford after facing off on Friday, live on SportNews, in a repeat of one of the 2024 semi-finals.
Being in this position is one Peet knows all too well with his side the reigning champions after picking up a historic quadruple of the Grand Final, Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield, and World Club Challenge last year.
But the warning for the rest of those vying for a spot at Old Trafford: Wigan are the "hungriest" that Peet has ever seen them with a confidence in their experience in these big moments.
"Everyone here at some point in Super League has had form that has made them look like possible winners," Peet told SportNews.
"Whichever team gets closest to their best will be crowned champions.
"We do plan to try and peak at the right time of year. It is mainly around the players' mentality, they enjoy it, and a little bit of luck as well.
"I do take a bit of confidence that the group has been there before.
"They are very hungry at the moment, probably the hungriest I have ever seen them, the energy around the place is fantastic.
"I think every coach will say that at the moment.
"It is about performance and trying to prepare the best we can for that.
"I am happy with where my group are at but I know we are going to be coming up against some might opposition and some proud teams."
So, if Wigan Warriors are going to do the walk out at the Theatre of Dreams on October 11 that they now know all too well, what do they need to do in the semi-finals? Peet had a simple but telling answer.
"Eighty minutes of us," he added.
"We know what our strengths are. There are areas we have limitations and areas we want to improve but if we can get close to our best then we should be confident.
"The fact is it is just a group of metal at the end of the year but it represents a group of people- not just the playing group but a club and a community setting out to achieve something and giving it their all.
"That is what drives us, we want to be successful, and it because we represent a lot of people in the town of Wigan who support our great club."
Watch both Super League semi-finals live on SportNews on October 3 and October 4.
