Wakefield Trinity coach makes sky-high prediction for Leeds Rhinos products Cameron Smith & Jack Sinfield
Leeds Rhinos products Cameron Smith and Jack Sinfield can both become international players at Wakefield, Trinity coach Daryl Powell says.
Sinfield, 21, joined Trinity in pre-season after being released from the final year of his Rhinos contract. Smith, 27, will complete his Leeds deal before moving to Wakefield in 2027. Powell believes both can go on to play at the highest level.
He said: “We’re signing quality players. I tried to sign Cam at Featherstone when I was there; I showed him around when he was a young kid so I’ve watched Cam play since he was very, very young in the amateur game. He was the best player by a mile.
“I still think he’s capable of being one of the best players in the competition and right at the top playing international football. He’s at Leeds this year and we’ve got Pittsy [Jay Pitts] - who has been unbelievable for us - and Jazz [Tevaga] this year, but Cam is a quality signing for us.”
Smith can also play at stand-off or prop, but Powell confirmed he will operate as a loose-forward for Wakefield, despite competition for the role. He added: “He fits in as a 13. My job is to make sure it fits.
“It’s the same with Jack Sinfield this year. I’ve got to make sure he gets the games he needs to make sure he’s a future international half-back. The beauty of coaching is making it work. Every signing we're making at the moment is outstanding. This is another one.”
Jake Trueman and Mason Lino are currently ahead of Sinfield in Trinity’s pecking order and he didn’t play in yesterday’s (Sunday) huge 82-6 Betfred Challenge Cup win at Swinton Lions. “I’ve been talking to Jack about a plan for him and how he fits in,” Powell stated.
“We’ve signed him as our future half-back, so him having a plan and knowing where he’s going and what he’s doing is important. There are no guarantees in life, however we signed him as a half-back who we think is going to be unbelievable in the future. Mason has a contract this year and will be fighting tooth and nail to have an outstanding season - we’ve got a salary cap to work with and will work with that as we go through the year.”
Of Sinfield’s potential, Powell insisted: “I think he can do anything he wants. The same with Truey [Jake Trueman]. Jack’s a bit younger and he’s a different player, but he has got high-quality skill sets - his kicking game and his running game. You rarely see a half who can run as well as Jack. He has some high qualities and we see him as a future player at a high level.”