Wakefield Trinity ready to 'get after the season' as boss issues injury warning v Leigh Leopards
Wakefield Trinity’s players have been challenged to prove last week’s win against Leeds Rhinos wasn’t a one-off.
After a mixed start to their Betfred Super League campaign, Trinity powered into the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup thanks to a 24-14 defeat of highly-fancied Leeds seven days ago and coach Daryl Powell has called for more of the same against Leigh Leopards tonight (Friday).
“I said to the boys after training, it is about consistency for us,” Powell stated. “We’ve seen some signs of that over the last couple of weeks and it’s about maintaining that level and improving as well in a couple of areas. There are a couple of areas I think we need to grow and develop, but it is early in the season so you are always going to have that.”
A third successive victory in all competitions would show Trinity are on the right track. Powell added: “Every game is different and you have to manage every game in a way that’s needed, but I think just knowing what you are going to get from a group is huge and we are getting closer to that.
“If we can chalk another performance off I think we’ll start to see the growth of a team that can really get after the season. You know what you are getting every week and you are in a good place then.”
Leigh have lost three of their first four league matches and began round five in 13th place on the table. However, they finished third last year before knocking Trinity out of the play-offs and Powell isn’t comforted by their lengthy casualty list.
“One of the dangers with teams when you’re hearing what’s going on there injury-wise is you listen to all that,” he warned. “The starting team that’ll be rolling out against us is a really strong one.
“The bench has been impacted a bit, but those guys are all good quality rugby league players. You see so many times where teams who are down on troops go on and win games.
“I don’t think you can take anything for granted. We had something similar [with injuries] when we beat Wigan here last year so I don’t think it matters. We need to focus on ourselves, not worry too much about what Leigh are doing and go and play the game we want to play.”
Trinity are in the opposite situation, having an almost full-fit squad for tonight’s Sky-televised clash. Powell has made one change to his 21 with Tyson Smoothy coming back into contention after missing two games because of concussion. He replaces prop Tray Lolesio who has joined Bradford Bulls on a one-week loan. Half-back Mason Lino is running at training but is expected to miss at least two more weeks because of a hamstring injury.
Wakefield Trinity: from Jowitt, Pratt, Scott, Hall, Johnstone, Trueman, McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Nikotemo, Storton, Tevaga, Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili, Smith, Vagana, Sinfield, Myers, Rourke, Tate.
Leigh Leopards: from Niu, Charnley, Cook, Lam, Mulhern, Halton, Trout, Liu, Pene, Alick-Wiencke, Davis, Horne, Senior, O’Brien, Hughes, McNamara, Brogan, Brown, Brough, Polec.
Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield). Kick-off: Friday, 8pm.