Wigan boss hopeful of welcoming back forward for Challenge Cup clash

Wigan head coach Matt Peet is hopeful of welcoming back forward Kaide Ellis for their Challenge Cup sixth round tie with Leeds. 

Rohan Smith’s Rhinos fought back from 14-0 down to claim an impressive 40-18 win with 12-men over the Warriors in Round 12 of Super League at the DW Stadium, with Zane Tetevano sent off in the first half for a late shot on Harry Smith. 

And the two sides will meet again later this week at Headingley Stadium, with the mouth-watering cup tie live on the BBC, with a 2:30pm kick off.

Australian forward Ellis, 26, missed the recent home clash and has been sidelined since the 13-6 victory over Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium earlier in April. 

Playmaker Cade Cust made his return from injury last Friday, featuring from the bench, while Ryan Hampshire was named 18th man. 

“Cade and Ryan are in the mix. I won’t give too much away,” Peet said on his team news during his pre-match press conference.

“Kaide Ellis could potentially come onboard as well. It’s a very similar squad. 

“We’ve been a little light in the front row the last few weeks. But with Kaide coming back and with the way he was playing, hopefully he can get himself right.”

Meanwhile, the club will continue to monitor winger Liam Marshall who has been suffering with a lower abdominal injury. 

“It’s similar really,” Peet said, providing an update on the winger who last featured against Wakefield.

“I couldn’t promise whether he’s going to play or not. Hopefully he’s available, but he’ll have to be 100% because he’s been doing a really good job.”

Peet also confirmed that full-back Jai Field continues with his rehabilitation and could be ready to return after Newcastle’s Magic Weekend at the beginning of June.

Peet backs Wigan to bounce back

The recent result against Leeds marked Wigan’s fourth defeat of the season and their first back-to-back losses of the year so far.

But Peet has backed his side to bounce back in what he expects to be a fantastic occasion in the Challenge Cup this Saturday.

“This week has been good,” Peet said on his side’s preparations.

“Saturday was honest as you would expect, players did a lot of talking and it was a tough one to take.

“But as far as this week, it’s getting back to what we do. I always say that we try and keep a victory and defeat the same, but it was important last week that we addressed the game and in particular the dip in the second half performance.

“It’s a group opportunity and a fantastic tie, exactly what the cup is all about – two big teams on a Saturday afternoon.

“It’s fantastic. Mike Forshaw [Wales Rugby Union defence coach] has been in to the training ground today and he said the perfect games to play rugby league are these ones, the Challenge Cup, in a fantastic arena.

“It’s why we all do our jobs and why spectators watch. These are the games you want to be involved in.”

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