2023 Season Review: Wigan Warriors

18 Nov 2023

Wigan reigned supreme in 2023, lifting the League Leaders' Shield and Super League trophy after an outstanding season under the guidance of Matt Peet.

The Warriors followed their 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup win by topping the Super League pile on points difference, before a gritty performance at Old Trafford saw them enjoy Grand Final success for the first time since 2018.

Your 2023 @Betfred #SuperLeague Champions, @WiganWarriorsRL! ? pic.twitter.com/EbQjSkWUGp
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 14, 2023

The season wasn't without its difficult moments - comprehensive back-to-back defeats against Catalans at Magic Weekend and then St Helens had Peet's side down in sixth midway through June.

"It's disappointing and it's not nice to lose, particularly by some score at St Helens," Peet admitted at the time.

"It's a tough night for us and we're not playing particularly well at the moment."

But their season seemed to ignite after a backs-against-the-wall Challenge Cup quarter-final win at home to Warrington immediately afterwards despite the seventh minute dismissal of Kaide Ellis, and the Warriors would lose just once more in the league again, surprisingly at Wakefield in July.

The other major disappointment of 2023 came in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, which again saw Wigan reduced to 12 men after Joe Shorrocks was shown the red card for a high tackle against Hull KR.

This time the Warriors couldn't rally, losing in golden point extra-time to a Brad Schneider drop goal to end their hopes of retaining the trophy.

"It was a great game and a great advert for the sport. I'm very proud of my players and I couldn't have asked much more from them," a magnanimous Peet said at the end.

But instead of negatively affecting the rest of their season, Peet's side regrouped and won all eight of their remaining Super League matches, including a 34-0 triumph at leaders Catalans that helped them overhaul the Dragons at the summit of the table.

Is that the game for @WiganWarriorsRL? ?#SuperLeague #SLCatWig pic.twitter.com/1vi3HYSZGQ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 26, 2023

"That was our best performance of the season," said a satisfied coach. "We did everything right, but we won't be getting carried away. We haven't won anything yet."

They soon would, however.

Wigan's attack - a source of concern among some supporters earlier in the year - clicked fully into gear during that spell, with four scores over 40.

But just as impressive was the defence - in six of those eight games the Warriors conceded single digit scorelines, including two clean sheets to help them secure top spot.

"It means a great deal," Peet said of the League Leaders' Shield. "It's a fantastic honour and no one can take it away from us. It's a great reflection on everyone at the club as well as the whole squad, the Academy, the medical department.

"People can make judgements on whether it shows progression or not. I know we're headed in the right direction and this is a nice token to represent that."

That was followed by a typically determined performance at the Theatre of Dreams. Liam Marshall's sole try - alongside Harry Smith's flawless goal kicking - helped the Warriors slay the Dragons to be crowned 2023 Super League Champions.

Peet had outstanding performers right across his squad in 2023.

None were better than Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Bevan French, who started the season with squad number two and was seen as a potential fullback option, but ended up playing most of the time at stand-off, where he excelled alongside the consistent Harry Smith.

French finished with more assists than any player in the competition, with Jai Field a superb foil for him at the back.

The pair were joined in double figures in the try scoring stakes by a hugely potent three-quarter line, including Liam Marshall and centres Jake Wardle and Toby King.

On the right-hand side Abbas Miski, the Lebanese international who joined the club from London Broncos, finished the year in remarkable fashion, scoring a stunning 17 tries in the space of just seven games at one point and topping the scoring charts alongside Catalans' Tom Johnstone.

He just cannot stop scoring ?

Here's why you voted @WiganWarriorsRL's Abbas Miski as September @GlensVodkaLLG Player of the Month ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/EShtKemXT7
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 29, 2023

Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies and Liam Byrne were pillars in the pack, while just as pleasing for Peet will have been the emergence and development of a cluster of promising young players, headed by Brad O'Neill, Harvie Hill and Junior Nsemba.

They should ensure continuing success for the Warriors, with Peet's work rewarded with a new four-year contract in September.

He added: "The Board have shown great faith in me and I strive every day to repay that trust not just in a winning rugby team but one that represents Wigan with style and integrity."

Key man

Wigan had stars across their sparkling backline in 2023, and Bevan French was arguably the brightest of them all. A fullback or winger for much of his career, Dream Team selection and 2023 Man of Steel French found a new regular home at stand-off, when he could use his creative skills alongside his searing pace to great effect. French's combinations with Jai Field and the entire Warriors backline made them one of the most dangerous attacks in the competition.

Rising star

The 2023 season saw young hooker Brad O'Neill cement himself as a key member of the Wigan side and earn a Young Player of the Year nomination. By the end of the campaign the 21-year-old had become the first choice hooker ahead of veteran Sam Powell, with his committed performances a feature of the Warriors' rise. With fellow young forwards Harvie Hill and Junior Nsemba also emerging, the future looks bright for the club.

Season highlight

There can only be one winner. The Warriors ended a five year wait for Grand Final success when they defeated Catalans at Old Trafford in October. It was far from a classic, but Matt Peet's side showed unrelenting levels of grit and determination to ensure they left Manchester with the Super League trophy. With more fire power added to their squad in 2024, this could well be the start of a Wigan dynasty.