Wigan and Warrington prepare for huge game at top

Matt Peet has overseen a stunning run of success since his arrival as Wigan Warriors head coach in 2022

Betfred Super League - Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves

Venue: Brick Community Stadium Date: Friday, 26 July Kick-off: 20:00 BST Coverage: Live coverage on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Manchester, scores on the BBC Sport website

Is it the Olympic Games overshadowing the Super League or the other way around?

Friday plays hosts to a seismic fixture in the 2024 calendar as first-placed Wigan Warriors - riding the crest of a wave under Matt Peet's stewardship - welcome second-placed Warrington Wolves.

It is the return fixture between the teams in what has been a frenzied battle at the top of the Super League table.

In a rematch of last month's Challenge Cup final - in which Wigan reigned supreme at Wembley against Sam Burgess' Wire - who will take a massive leap towards the League Leaders' Shield and further glory?

'We're not getting carried away'

Peet's arrival at Wigan came at a time when the club had fallen short over a number of seasons, but he did not take long to restore some pride to the Cherry and Whites.

Victory in the Challenge Cup came just a matter of months into his tenure in 2022 and it has been full speed ahead since then.

Last season's Super League title followed along with the Warriors stunning the NRL premiers Penrith Panthers in February to win the World Club Challenge on home soil.

Wigan claimed the points in their first Super League meeting of the season with Warrington, squeezing past a young Wire side at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for a 19-18 victory.

They welcome Warrington to the Brick Community Stadium on Friday two points clear at the Super League summit and with a game in hand, yet come into the fixture off the back of an uncharacteristic loss to lowly Hull FC.

"We don't get too excited with ourselves when we play well, when we've had good days. But equally it hurt at the weekend with the way we performed," Peet told BBC Radio Manchester.

"Every game in rugby league, the start is critical. I hear so many coaches talk about it pre- and post-match.

"There's so many things you have to get right at the start of a game, the basics, and then you can build a game off the back of it.

"Clearly, last week we didn't do that particularly well but Hull were really clinical in their start and Warrington will be looking to start well this week."

'Both our seasons have been different in so many ways'

Sam Burgess has transformed Warrington's fortunes in his short time in charge of the club

Sam Burgess' appointment as Warrington's head coach may have raised a few eyebrows when it was announced.

It was an audacious move from an ambitious club to transform their fortunes by appointing one of the greats of the game to his first coaching role.

And it is fair to say that it could have all gone wrong - but it has not.

Burgess has revolutionised his Wire side into one which is daring to dream of finally clinching a league title for the first time in the Super League era.

"It's a great challenge for us as a group to go over to Wigan and play," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"They're the champions for a reason. We've played them a couple of times this season and we know what they're about.

"They're very consistent. I dare say they're the most consistent team and have been for the past two years. They're hard to break down and they compete very hard as champion teams do."

Warrington's loss at Wembley was a rare blip on an otherwise promising season. They lost their next game but have won their past four.

Despite Wigan's surprising loss to Hull FC, Burgess does not expect any sort of mid-season hangover from their opponents.

"Teams do have little bumps and I guarantee they will be a different side this Friday night," he added.

"We're Warrington and they're Wigan and both our seasons are different in so many ways.

"It's hard to compare two completely different teams coached by two completely different blokes.

"We've had some shaky games and also some games where we've put things together. On Friday it will be no different."

Victory under the Wembley arch means Peet's side side now hold all four major honours in the League Leaders' Shield, the Super League title, the World Club Challenge and Challenge Cup.

It was the second triumph in the competition that Peet has tasted since taking charge of the Warriors, and their fine form has - in his opinion - had wider ramifications than just rugby league.

"There's a real energy about the town at the moment. The past two home games against Leigh and St Helens has been a fantastic feeling around the stadium, fan village and town," Peet added.

"I feel in general our fans have liked the way we've been performing and with recent things going on in the town, including the concerts at Robin Park."

Matt Peet was talking to BBC Radio Manchester's Robin Grey, Sam Burgess was talking to BBC Radio Merseyside's Phil Kinsella.