Trophies cannot be only reflection on Wigan - Peet
Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet has said their focus will not shift and they should not be judged on the number of trophies they win this season having broken records during a historic 2024 campaign.
The Cherry and Whites became the first club in the Super League era to win the quadruple of World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and Grand Final honours in a single season.
Peet's side have begun their preparations in earnest ahead of another gruelling season which will also encapsulate a trip to Las Vegas to face off against Warrington Wolves on 1 March.
When asked by BBC Radio Manchester whether they can better their historic 2024, Peet said: "We don't get a chance to play for the World Club Challenge, so in some ways we can't even match it. The focus won't change.
"When we say we can't better it, we can't win more trophies but I do think we can be a better team.
"At the end of it, that will be judged on the trophies we win. But that can't be the only reflection on us.
"We can play better rugby, we can attack better, we can be better in the community and make our culture stronger and hopefully we win some trophies along the way."
March's trip to the United States runs alongside England's women facing Australia, and two NRL games during a bumper day of rugby league at NFL side Las Vegas Raiders' Allegiant Stadium home.
The event means that the World Club Challenge will not take place in 2025, with efforts being poured into the trip to showcase the sport to an American audience.
Wigan's tussle against the Wire takes place eight days after they face Hull FC on 21 February and eight days before they face Huddersfield on 9 March.
Despite the tight turnaround and the 10,000-mile round trip, Warriors chief executive Kris Radlinski believes it is a worthy endeavour.
"We can continue doing nothing and wake up every February and wonder if things are going to change or we can do something about it. So we've tried to do something about it," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
"We might be a little tired after the trip to Vegas but we can't just keep wondering and keep expecting and asking the question why the dial hasn't changed, we've got to do something about it.
"It's captured the imagination of our fans and Warrington's fans. We're looking forward to it immensely. I personally don't see any downsides to it at this moment in time, it's an opportunity to showcase the sport alongside the premier competition in the world which is the NRL."
