Matt Peet’s Wigan side are in a strong position – and as always, their challenge is led by homegrown players.
05:00, 24 Jul 2026Updated 08:15, 24 Jul 2026
Wigan Warriors hooker Brad O’Neill has been in strong form this year.
Wigan Warriors have been rugby league’s best custodian for developing rugby league talent, and this year has been no different, with a new crop of young players emerging in the first team.
One of those players is Shea O’Connor, a fiery and fearless front-row forward who has held his own this year.
The teenager is being nurtured by another club product in Brad O’Neill, who is set to lead the Cherry and Whites’ charge against St Helens on Friday night – and it’s very much a familiar affair.
The two players aren’t blood-related, but there’s a connection in the two families – and it’s a bond that Matt Peet believes is driving each other on.
“They look after one another,” Peet told All Out Rugby League. “I think Brad has guided Shea somewhat. They thrive training and playing with one another – and they’re good for one another.
“It’s not straightforward (the relation) but again, they work well together. It’s been good for us.”
O’Connor made his first-team debut for Wigan at Hull KR back in May and has been a regular since.
“He’s someone in the future who will go on to start games for Wigan,” Peet said. “I’ve seen him play for the academy, then our reserves, and I’ve been impressed with him whenever I’ve watched him.
“He’s got quite a well-rendered game for a front rower. He’s powerful, but he’s fit. He understands the game enough to ball play, and he’s very tidy in his actions.
“There’s plenty to be excited about. He’s going to improve. Physically, I’d imagine he will improve quite dramatically over the next few years, but he’s got a good base. He’s just a big tough kid. He’s well put together and I think most of it’s in his mentality.”
That mentality saw O’Connor ask to double up for the reserves last weekend after a cameo first-team appearance at Huddersfield, showing the attitude within the Wigan group.
It’s an attitude led by the likes of O’Neill, who has hit arguably the best form of his career this year.
“He’s playing bigger minutes for us, which is something that he’s probably always craved,” Peet said. “And he’s certainly responding. He’s growing up, isn’t he? He’s younger than we all think; even I sometimes forget his age (24).
“I’d agree that this is the best form he’s been in and I know he’s keen to improve further. He’s quite an inspirational player and he’s one of those players that the rest of the middles love to play beside and likewise, I think he’s having good games because the lads he’s out there with are getting him some front-foot ball and working hard with him in defence.”
O’Neill’s performances are all the more impressive, having come back from some tough injuries earlier on in his career.
“He had a bad injury as a 16-year-old,” Peet explained. “He’s had a couple of ACLs. But yeah, he’s a fine young man. Honestly, he’s exactly what you would want in a Wigan player. He’s physical, he’s hard-working, he wants to get better, and he’s a lovely, lovely lad, a proud dad. We’ve got a good group here and he’s one of them.”
And as for Friday’s derby against St Helens, there’s no doubt in Peet’s eyes at what’s to come: 80 minutes of frantic rugby league action.
“This game has never failed to deliver as long as I can remember,” the head coach added. “It’s two passionate clubs. There’s the locality that makes it a rivalry, but there’s also the fact that we’ve contested so many great games together. I’m sure Friday will be no different.”