Magic Preview: Riding the rollercoaster

5 Jul 2022

Magic Preview: Riding the rollercoaster

Trinity forward hoping for more highs than lows

 

JAI Whitbread has little hesitation when asked to describe Wakefield Trinity’s campaign to date.

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster hasn’t it??? the Australian forward reflected.

That is something of an understatement.

In June alone, Trinity beat Warrington and Hull FC and looked to be climbing away from the bottom and towards a Play-Offs challenge, before crashing 74-12 at Salford just two weeks ago.

“We sort of started well and had a good run of wins, then we had a few losses in a row,?? Whitbread continued.

“Then we really found our groove again and were tracking quite well in terms of where we want to be at the end of the season.

“It’s been a similar story for me - coming to a new club it took me a while to find my groove and build those connections with new team-mates.

“I feel like I’ve started to play some pretty good footy but I’m not satisfied yet, I want to be consistent week-in, week-out.??

Outsiders could have been forgiven for wondering whether Whitbread was jumping out of the frying pan into the fire when he joined Wakefield from relegated Leigh.

The 24-year-old arrived in England from Gold Coast Titans last year before being part of the Centurions squad that dropped back into the Betfred Championship.

But Whitbread - who has been one of Trinity’s best so far in 2022 - had confidence in the squad that Willie Poching had assembled.

“I knew a bit about Wakey and knew that they had a strong roster on paper,?? Whitbread explained.

“There was a calibre of player there, and I wasn’t really concerned about back-to-back relegations.

“There’s a great squad here and we’ve started to click into gear and put things together, so we can play how we want to play.

“Things happened at Leigh but I didn’t want to go down to the Championship, I wanted to test myself in Super League.

“Wakey gave me that opportunity and I’ve been happy to take it and test myself in the best competition.??

This weekend’s clash with bottom club Toulouse is a crucial one for both sides, and Whitbread is relishing the prospect.

He added: “We’re expecting a really tough game.

“They’ve recruited really well recently and have obviously got aspirations to stay in Super League so it won’t be easy.

“We’re expecting a red hot Toulouse side that wants to win - but we want to win too and we’ll be preparing the best we can for that.

“I was lucky enough to play at Magic Weekend last year and although we didn’t get the result it was a great weekend to be involved in.

“It’s great exposure for Super League both in this country and worldwide, and having another chance to play at such a great facility and stadium at Newcastle is unreal.??

 

Player in Form - David Fifita

 

Ever since his arrival in Betfred Super League, David Fifita has proved he is one of the competition’s best props on his day.

There have been several days like this so far this season with the big front rower proving a handful for opposition defences on a regular basis.

A rampaging runner with ball in hand who hits hard defensively, he is a destructive part of Willie Poching’s side.

 

Ones to Watch - Corey Hall and Lewis Murphy

 

One of the major positives of Wakefield’s season so far has been the emergence of two talented outside backs.

Former Leeds Rhinos junior Hall and homegrown Murphy have become key members of Trinity’s line-up, impressing with and without the ball.

Murphy’s cover tackle on a try-bound Connor Wrench in the home win over Warrington - which his speed was clocked at a remarkable 35.7kph - was one of the defensive plays of the year and Hall also looks set for a big future.