World Club Challenge holders Wigan, who also won the Super League Leaders’ Shield and the Grand Final in 2023, are now only the third team in the modern era to hold all four major trophies at the same time since the annual clash between the English and Australian title winners was first created in 1976 – following Bradford Bulls in 2004 and St Helens in 2007.
But Peet admitted it took great mental strength to recover from a nightmare start when Wigan’s former Warrington favourite – and lifelong Wire fan – Mike Cooper became the recipient of Wembley’s earliest yellow card in only the second minute.
Within a minute the numbers were evened up, and it was back to 13-a-side again by the time Australian French created the game’s opening try for young winger Zach Eckersley – only playing because of the suspended Adam Keighran’s own disciplinary indiscretion a week earlier.
When French, 28, then scored the second try himself just six minutes later, Wigan were into a two-score lead which they never looked like surrendering, once Liam Farrell had claimed the third try, even after a too little too late Wire rally.
“It’s about trusting each other and coping with the ebbs and flows,” said Peet. “The strength of this group is their ability to deal with whatever comes along.
“When things are against them they almost seem to rise to the challenge.
“Our motivation was achieving something that is not unprecedented but is particularly special, putting that fourth trophy in the cabinet.
“This group of players are motivated by what they can achieve and the memories they can make together.”
Peet also had special praise for his captain Farrell, who capped a fourth Challenge Cup winner’s medal at the age of 33 – and more glory for the famous Farrell rugby family – with a typical solo burst for his first try in a Wembley final.
“Sometimes Liam’s achievements can go noticed,” added Peet.
“There have been some good back-rowers in Super League over the last 10 or 15 years but, in terms of success and playing in big games, Faz takes some beating.”