Season Preview: Wakefield Trinity

A new lease of life was injected into Wakefield Trinity when Willie Poching took temporary charge in 2021. An ordinary season ended with optimism after Poching took over, with Trinity winning five of their last seven Betfred Super League games – more wins than they managed during their other 17 matches.

Poching’s end of season transformation earned him the top job at Trinity and now, he prepares to take charge ahead of the new campaign. In doing so, he also becomes the first Samoan to be appointed as head coach at first grade level in any rugby league competition globally. A proud achievement for Poching and a deserved outcome after the teams turnaround last year - but there is still work to do. 

2022 promises to be more competitive than ever, so Trinity can ill-afford to start slow again. Poching’s aim will be to improve on their tenth place finish last year, and it’s certainly within their reach.

Ins & outs

Ins:

Lee Gaskell (Huddersfield Giants), Liam Hood (Leigh Centurions), Tom Lineham (Warrington Wolves), Sadiq Adebiyi (London Broncos), Jai Whitbread (Leigh Centurions), Corey Hall (Leeds Rhinos). 

Outs:

Joe Westerman (Castleford Tigers), Josh Wood (Barrow Raiders), Kyle Wood (Halifax Panthers), Innes Senior (Huddersfield Giants, loan return), Alex Walker (released), Ollie Greensmith (Dewsbury Rams), Chris Green (Leigh Centurions), Joe Arundel (Halifax Panthers), Ryan Hampshire (released), Connor Bailey (Newcastle Thunder).

Ones to watch

2022 stars

Trinity’s new number 9, Liam Hood, may be their most important signing in 2022. The former Centurions skipper arrives at Wakefield as their only recognised Super League hooker following the departure of both Kyle Wood and Josh Wood at the conclusion of last season. Hood is an experienced player who will be vital for Trinity this year - he joins a familiar set up at Trinity having played under Poching during his academy days at Leeds Rhinos, and has the full backing of his new head coach.

Hood has certainly got the credentials to be a star at Wakefield - he has earned multiple international caps for Scotland and was a consistent performer during a difficult season for Leigh last year. Hood has fought his way through adversity, having spent time in the Championship before getting his chance in Super League, whilst also suffering relegation with the Centurions last season. That will undoubtedly make him even more determined to make his stay at Wakefield a success and excel his career even further.

'Big Bopper' David Fifita was a huge presence both in stature and performance for Trinity last season. The barnstorming front rower was an ever-present at Wakefield in 2021 and averaged a massive 46 minutes on the pitch per game. It was a tough year collectively for Trinity but Fifita was outstanding. He topped the offload and tackle bust charts across Super League, as well being joint top scorer for Trinity – a mammoth return from the prop forward.

Now, heading into his seventh season at Wakefield, Trinity's cult hero will be as important as ever. He will again be tasked with leading his forward pack and is an integral point of difference for Wakefield. Fifita can create chances from seemingly impossible positions, so expect him to be a thorn in the side of opposition defences once again in 2022.

Next generation

Former Trinity scholarship product Corey Hall has re-joined the club ahead of 2022 from Leeds Rhinos. The 20-year-old made the short trip across West Yorkshire in the hope of more game time in Wakefield’s first team this year. He starred for Trinity for the first time during their pre-season Boxing Day clash against his former club and showed up well in defeat.

Hall will be aiming to stake a claim for a centre spot in 2022 - albeit behind some tough competition. Reece Lyne has been a mainstay on the Trinity edge for several years and Bill Tupou will make a timely return to action. Never the less, Hall will undoubtedly be called on at some stage this year and is more than capable cover out wide. And for now, he is able develop his game alongside two of Trinity's star centres.

Defining dates

Trinity were slow out of the blocks last season. They won just four of their opening 17 Betfred Super League matches and failed to register a victory in the opening six rounds. They face a tough start this year as well, with back-to-back trips to both of last season’s Grand Finalists.

Willie Poching’s side are the first to travel to Catalans Dragons this year – Trinity make the trip to the South of France in Round two, on Saturday 19 February, before a trip to the Champions, St Helens, the following Friday. Whilst there won't be many onlookers who expect Trinity to come away with any points from those games, both matches will be an indicator about Wakefield’s intent this year. Strong performances against the competitions best will be a massive confidence boost for the long road ahead.

2022 squad

1. Max Jowitt, 2. Tom Johnstone, 3. Bill Tupou, 4. Reece Lyne, 5. Tom Lineham, 6. Jacob Miller, 7. Mason Lino, 8. Eddie Battye, 9. Liam Hood, 10. Tinirau Arona, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Kelepi Tanginoa, 13. Jay Pitts, 14. Jordy Crowther, 15. Jai Whitbread, 16. James Batchelor, 17. Lee Gaskell, 18. Lee Kershaw, 19. Liam Kay, 20. Jack Croft, 21. Brad Walker, 22. Yusuf Aydin, 23. Sid Adebiyi, 24. Harry Bowes, 25. Sam Eseh, 26. Pat O’Donovan, 27. Lewis Murphy, 28. Dane Windrow, 29. Isaac Shaw, 30. Corey Hall, 35. David Fifita.