Meet the mind guru helping 'goofy and loving' Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet

success in guiding to a glorious was just reward for his dedication, talent and desire.

But do not underestimate the role that mind guru Craig White has played in helping Peet with regular visualisation, meditation and yoga sessions. Since White became his life coach in 2021, 40-year-old Peet has won seven trophies in just three seasons in charge. White has worked for the British & Irish Lions with the likes of Sir Clive Woodward, Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland.

He is now a high performance consultant for World Rugby in addition to mentoring studious Peet, a poetry-loving English graduate. Fellow Wiganer White said: “Matty has the potential to be better than any other coaches I’ve worked with because of his openness to work on himself. He can be stoic, difficult, goofy or the most loving man in the .

“He can be a philosopher or a poet and stand in front of his players and admit his mistakes. That’s what I call a leadership range which a lot of coaches don’t have. Whenever Matty does pre-match or half-time talks, he sends them to me and I give him my thoughts.

“He’ll often talk about connection and that starts with him, so he’s deeply self-reflective. We’re always doing self-awareness practises and he’s big into yoga which helps him to turn the gaze inwards on himself. He’s very contemplative, very aware and he knows through the work we’ve done what he’s naturally talented at.

“His biggest strength is connecting people and making them feel safe, valued and heard. Wigan Warriors is a club where you’re under pressure to win, but for Matty it’s all about building a family. Winning is a bi-product.”

Wigan are enjoying another dynasty under Peet and White added: “As a club they’re more aligned than any other organisation I’ve ever seen. Matty and chief executive Kris Radlinski have been pivotal in that. A lot of top coaches don’t get their work-life balance right and suffer because of it.

“Yet Matty knows when he needs to turn his phone off and the importance of being with his kids and missus. Yoga, meditation and connection with nature are key practises for him to switch off, recharge and regenerate.”

Wigan winger Liam Marshall lost his mother earlier this year and Peet was the first person to visit him at his home to offer support. White revealed: “Matty puts other people first.”

White and Peet speak regularly and will spend two days together in the Lake District next month. White added: “It’ll be a review of his success in the last year and a preview of how we can take Matty to the next level in 2025.”