MATT PEET believes a week spent in the warmer weather of the Canary Islands will help Wigan fly high as the heat rises during the 2026 campaign.
Peet’s squad have a home warm-up game against Hull FC in winger Liam Marshall’s testimonial on Sunday.
The Warriors then have a first competitive run-out of this year away to Rochdale next Sunday (February, 8) in round three of the Challenge Cup, a competition they have won a record 21 times, most recently in 2024.
And seven days later comes their Super League opener at Castleford – the first step on a journey which coach Peet hopes will end back at Old Trafford with what would be a fourth successive Grand Final appearance.
After taking the title in 2023 and 2024, Wigan lost out to Hull KR in last season’s showpiece, but at 15/8, are competition sponsors Betfred’s favourites this time around (KR are 11/5 and Leeds 11/2).
As he goes into his fifth season in charge, the 41-year-old Peet feels time spent training in Tenerife this month will turn out to be very valuable.
“I was very pleased (with the training camp),” he explained. “You get longer and more sessions on the field in excellent conditions, which means the quality of the work you do increases.
“It’s an outstanding complex where we were based and we are all really appreciative of (owner) Mike Danson, (chief executive) Kris Radlinski and the board for supporting us.
“The players responded by working incredibly hard, and we returned to Robin Park Arena (Wigan’s training base) and continued our preparations.
“In pre-season you get a chance to revisit what you want to be about as a group and individually, but it’s more about your day-to-day actions – how you work, how you look after and speak to one another as well as the people around you.
“Some of the lads have made some big gains physically, which is being transferred into their skill and tactical work. I think the fans will notice how great the players are looking.”
The Rochdale clash on a brand-new pitch at Hornets’ Crown Oil Arena is the first meeting of the sides since 1994-95, when Wigan won 34-12 at their old Central Park home in round two of the Regal Trophy.
Radlinski, then in the early stages of what was to be an honour-laden playing career, was one of his club’s wingers, and chalked up a hat-trick of tries.
“Rochdale have always been a proud club with a lot of outstanding players throughout their history,” noted Peet.
“They always do a great job in competing and it will be great to go to another north-west side who will give us a challenge.”