Wakefield Trinity boss hails 'courageous' win v York Knights after 'mad' start, says sin-bin 'poor call'

The 26-14 result extended Trinity’s winning run in all competitions to four games and came hours after they confirmed the signing of NRL superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck from New Zealand Warriors on a two-year deal beginning next season. But they were put under huge pressure at times and spent 10 minutes late in the game a man down after Max Jowitt was sin-binned. York led twice in the first half and were only two points adrift until Trinity scored two tries in the final four minutes, with wingers Tom Johnstone and Oli Pratt both grabbing their second of the game.

Powell admitted Trinity weren’t at their best, but said: “I thought it was a courageous effort. They are a good team, York - they have got so many really good players in there. They’ve got creativity and a couple of big boys who cause you a lot of trouble.

“They were really good and we had to battle our way through it. There’s a real depth of courage in the team. I think we will continue to get better with the way we are playing, but when you’ve got that knowledge that you can hang tough in difficult situations, then you’ve got confidence you can get yourself out of anything.”

The game was played at a high pace with Wakefield conceding a penalty and two set-restarts in the opening moments. Referees have been instructed to speed up the ruck this season, but Powell has concerns it is becoming too fast.

“The start to the game, if we are going to play the game at that speed, I don’t think anybody can do it,” he reflected. “I thought it was madness, how the game started. I think the game is a chaotic game - is it better? I am not sure. There’s a balance to be had somewhere and I don’t think we are there yet. I hope at some point we get there.”

Jowitt was yellow carded for dangerous play after kicking the ball away from Will Dagger as the York man attempted to touch down. Referee Tom Grant initially awarded a try to Knights, but was overruled by video official Chris Kendall.

“I don’t think it’s a sin-bin,” Powell said. “I think he kicks the ball before it gets to his hand. I think it’s a poor call. That was a tough period for us, I was just sending messages out saying ‘hang tough, keep turning up for each other’.”

York also went a man down in the closing stages after Toa Mata’afa went off injured when their interchanges had all been used. Wakefield took advantage with Johnstone’s well-taken try putting the game beyond the hosts before Pratt extended the winning margin late on.

“We executed a really smart play and Tom finished it well, backed his speed,” Powell stated. “I thought Pratty was sensational in the game and for him to finish the way he did, I thought he thoroughly deserved that.”