Cult hero Caius Faatili’s dyed hair convinced coach Daryl Powell his Wakefield Trinity side were ready to win a Grand Final.

The New Zealand-born prop rocked Old Trafford with a red, white and blue barnet - Trinity’s traditional colours - as Powell’s men out-played Warrington Wolves 23-10 in the Betfred Super League Grand Final. The stunning victory completed one of rugby league’s most unlikely success stories, coming at the end of Wakefield’s second season back in the top-flight.

Despite finishing fourth in the table, one place below Warrington, Trinity radiated confidence throughout the play-offs and some sceptics felt Faatili’s hairstyle might be an indication the players were too relaxed, but for Powell it was a positive sign.

Caius Faatili in Grand Final action for Wakefield Trinity against Warrington Wolves. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

“Last week, to go and do what we did to Wigan on their own patch was a special effort,” he said after the Grand Final. “We knew then we could do it tonight. Everybody was sort of doubting whether we could do it two weeks on the trot, so it’s always good to prove people wrong.

“I just feel there’s a confidence about the group and Caius doing what he did with his hair probably sums that up. The boys walked in [on Friday] and said ‘you’ve got a treat coming in 15 seconds’, then I saw Caius walk in and I was like ‘oh wow’!

“It was, for me, a show of confidence. The boys have such confidence in each other, if we all do our jobs then we can do anything we want. We’ve shown that this year.

“It has been an amazing finish to the season and I couldn’t speak more highly of the boys about everything they do, what they are like with each other, how hard they work, how committed they are. I am so proud of everything - the club, the fans and the players. They are such a pleasure to coach and be around, it makes it an easy job.”

Wakefield Trinity's Caius Faatili with the Betfred Super League trophy. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Wakefield led 19-0 at half-time and Powell added: “I thought the first half performance was so clinical, tough and brave - all the superlatives you could talk about. It was such a superb effort; we’ve been building for a while, but the last two weeks in particular have been incredible performances from an unbelievable group of blokes.”

It was fourth time lucky for Trinity captain Mike McMeeken, who was a Grand Final runner-up with Castleford Tigers, under Powell, nine years ago and twice since for Catalans Dragons. “It’s a relief finally to get that [Super League winners’] ring,” McMeeken reflected. “I am unbelievably proud of the boys, to gain that belief, probably six or seven weeks ago and then to keep that form going.

“We beat Wigan away last week and it’s tough to then bounce back the week after and perform like that. I think our left-edge, in particular, was outstanding.”

The England prop admitted: “When the final hooter went, looking at the crowd and seeing all the jubilation among the players, it doesn’t feel real. It’s what I joined the club for, nights like this.”