Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet has acknowledged the challenges created by the Super League salary cap, admitting that keeping a championship-winning squad together is becoming increasingly difficult. His comments come as speculation continues over the future of hooker Kruise Leeming, who has been linked with a permanent move away from the club after spending the 2026 season on loan with Catalans Dragons.
Wigan have built one of the strongest squads in Super League, relying heavily on homegrown talent developed through their academy. However, that success has also created financial pressure, with several young stars now deserving improved contracts while experienced players remain on significant deals.
Peet admitted that the salary cap forces clubs into difficult decisions every season. Rewarding emerging players while retaining established internationals is a balancing act, and Wigan are no exception. The coach stressed that the club’s long-term success depends on maintaining a healthy squad structure rather than simply keeping every player under contract.
The discussion has naturally led to questions about Kruise Leeming’s future. The experienced hooker joined Catalans Dragons on a season-long loan ahead of the 2026 campaign as part of the agreement that brought Oliver Partington back to Wigan. Since moving to France, Leeming has impressed with his consistent performances, leading to reports that several Super League clubs are interested in signing him permanently for 2027.
Despite the growing speculation, Peet has not indicated that Leeming is being pushed out of the club. Instead, he praised the 30-year-old’s professionalism and highlighted the important contribution he made during Wigan’s historic trophy-winning campaigns. Leeming played a vital role in the club’s remarkable success after arriving in 2024, bringing leadership, experience and versatility to the squad.
However, Wigan’s current depth at hooker means opportunities have become limited. Brad O’Neill has firmly established himself as the club’s first-choice number nine, while young prospect Tom Forber continues to develop into a reliable long-term option. With those two players expected to feature prominently in the coming years, Leeming’s pathway back into the starting side appears increasingly narrow.
The financial aspect cannot be ignored either. Reports suggest that a permanent transfer would provide Wigan with valuable salary cap flexibility, allowing the club to invest further in retaining younger players who are emerging through the academy system. That scenario reflects the broader challenge facing successful clubs under the current cap regulations.
Peet’s comments mirror concerns previously expressed within the Wigan hierarchy, where officials have argued that the existing salary cap makes it difficult to adequately reward academy graduates without sacrificing experienced members of the squad. As more young players establish themselves in the first team, those pressures are only expected to increase.
For now, Leeming remains contracted to Wigan, and no final decision has been announced regarding his future beyond the current season. Nevertheless, with interest reportedly growing and Wigan carefully managing both their salary cap and long-term squad planning, a permanent move cannot be ruled out.
Whether Leeming eventually returns to the Brick Community Stadium or begins a new chapter elsewhere, his contribution to Wigan’s recent success is unlikely to be forgotten. Meanwhile, Matt Peet and the club’s recruitment team face another important off-season as they attempt to balance financial realities with the ambition of keeping Wigan among Super League’s elite.
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