All-time Best Super League XIII: Wakefield Trinity

In this series, we put together the ultimate Super League starting 13’s for each club that has seen at least five seasons in the competition.

Today it’s the turn of Wakefield, so here’s who we think would make their ultimate Super League XIII…

1. Matt Blaymire

Blaymire signed from York City Knights ahead of the 2007 season. He went on to become a regular feature in the Wakefield side missing just four regular season games. He scored on his debut, in a 29-22 win over St Helens and went on to make over 100 appearances for Trinity, scoring 30 tries. Unfortunately, Blaymire was forced to retire in 2011 because of a knee injury.

Notable mentions: Colum Halpenny, Scott Grix

2. Tom Johnstone

Wakefield academy graduate Johnstone made his debut in 2015, during a 52-10 defeat against Wigan. He made an instant impact on the team, scoring nine tries in 10 games. Serious knee injuries have affected his playing time in the past couple of years but on his day he’s a potent try scorer. In 2018, he scored 17 tries in 18 games, including a hat-trick at Headingley against Leeds and started 2020 with five tries from five.

Notable mentions: Neil Law, Peter Fox, Damian Blanch

3. Jason Demetriou

Demetriou signed from Widnes ahead of the 2004 season. He played every match, as Wakefield made the play-offs and was also on the scoresheet as they won their first play-off game against Hull FC. His most successful season arguably came in 2007 when, as captain, he was named in the Super League Dream Team and shortlisted for the Man of Steel award, eventually losing out to James Roby. He made almost 200 appearances for Wakefield in total, scoring 51 tries, before departing to join Keighley in 2011. A true modern-day club legend.

Notable mentions: Reece Lyne, Sid Domic

4. Ryan Atkins

Atkins signed from Bradford in 2006, scoring on his debut in a 34-26 win over Castleford at Belle Vue. He went on to make 96 appearances for Trinity, scoring 49 tries, before leaving to join Warrington in 2010. He did make a return to the club mid-way through 2019, though, and has started the 2020 season with two tries in three matches.

Notable mentions: Bill Tupou, Adam Hughes

5. Ben Jones-Bishop

Jones-Bishop signed from Salford ahead of the 2016 season. His most productive campaign came a year later, as he scored 17 tries in 20 games, including a hat-trick against Catalans. He has made over 100 appearances for the club, scoring 61 tries but is currently out of action with an injury.

Notable mentions: Semi Tadulala, Aaron Murphy, Luke George

6. Jamie Rooney

Rooney signed from West Yorkshire rivals Featherstone ahead of the 2003 season. He scored 10 tries and kicked 64 goals during his first season, before going on to rack up almost 130 appearances, 68 tries and 343 goals in total, leaving him with just short of 1,000 points. He joined Barrow ahead of the 2010 season.

Notable mentions: Ben Jeffries, Jacob Miller

7. Danny Brough

Brough first signed for Wakefield from rivals Castleford ahead of 2008. He made 57 appearances initially, scoring 19 tries and 203 goals before moving to Huddersfield Giants ahead of the 2010 season. Brough then returned to Wakefield at the start of the 2019 and has made 25 appearances, scoring two tries and 75 goals.

Notable mentions: Liam Finn, Tim Smith

8. David Fifita

Fifita joined from NRL side Cronulla Sharks mid-way through 2016 and has gone on to become a firm fan-favourite with his infectious enthusiasm and powerful running. In 2017, he played an important part as Wakefield finished fifth at the end of the regular season, continuing his form into 2019, as he scored eight tries in the club’s battle to avoid the drop.

Notable mentions: Adam Watene, Nick Scruton, Ricky Bibey

9. David March

March came into the Wakefield side in 1999, having come through the setup at local club Thornhill Trojans. He made an instant impact, scoring two tries on debut in a 22-10 win over Salford. He went on to make just short of 200 appearances, scoring 35 tries and kicking 125 goals, before signing for York City Knights in 2008.

Notable mentions: Sam Obst, Kyle Wood, Paul Aiton

10. Michael Korkidas

Greek International Korkidas signed for Wakefield from Sydney Roosters ahead of the 2003 season. He made his debut during their 20-18 win over Castleford Tigers in the Challenge Cup, with his first try coming in a 35-20 win over Warrington soon after. In 2004, he only missed one match as Wakefield made the play-offs for the first time in the Super League era. He continued to be a vital part of the team, before departing for Salford in 2006. He did, however, return in 2009, scoring a try in his comeback game against Celtic Crusaders.

Notable mentions: Kyle Amor, Richard Moore, Olivier Elima

11. David Solomona

Cult hero Solomona signed ahead of the 2004 season from NRL side Paramatta Eels. He in all but one of Trinity’s games during his first season, with a four-try haul against London Broncos a particular highlight. His handling and offloading ability were remarkable for a man of his size and strength, hence the reason he was such a popular figure at the club. He eventually left the club at the end of 2006, joining Bradford.

Notable mentions: Matty Ashurst, Gareth Ellis, Kevin Henderson, David Wrench, Gary Price

12. Danny Kirmond

Kirmond signed ahead of the 2010 season from Huddersfield. His most productive season came in 2013, when he scored 13 tries, including hat-trick against London Broncos, and was named in the Super League Dream Team. In total, he’s made over 170 appearances for the club, scoring 47 tries.

Notable mentions: Jamie Field, Glenn Morrison, Duncan MacGillivray, Willie Poching

13. Danny Washbrook

Washbrook signed from Hull FC ahead of the 2012 season and had an instant impact, helping the club to reach the playoffs in his first season. He went on to make 114 appearances for Trinity, scoring 16 tries, including one in his final game for the club – the 2015 Million Pund Game win over Bradford. He then went back to Hull the following year.

Notable mentions: Monty Betham, Ian Knott