Boss Daryl Powell saluted a “phenomenal” group of players after Wakefield Trinity returned to Super League with a bang.
The coach felt his side did “special things” as they began their campaign with a stunning 14-12 victory against the odds at Leeds Rhinos.
Even an injury during the game and a long-term one earlier in the week, which had been kept under wraps, couldn’t dampen Powell’s delight as Trinity picked up their first win over Rhinos at Headingley since 2019.
Wakefield scored all their points during a devastating 10-minute spell in the first half and then withstood heavy pressure, even after being reduced to 12 men with Mason Lino in the sin-bin.
“When you’re coaching it’s all about the players, we facilitate the players to do what they do,” Powell said.
“You have different groups of players throughout your career and this is just a phenomenal group.
“I was really surprised when I went in last year and what we’ve added is a big part of what we are trying to do – just good blokes who want to do something special.
“I thought that was great today, there were so many good character traits, it is an awesome foundation to play this game, because it’s a tough game. We did some special things today.”
Reflecting on the game, Powell said: “I thought we executed really well in the first half. We played them on Boxing Day and got a few little tips from that. We felt if we executed well, we’d be able to open them up a little bit.
“That was the story of it. Our decision-making from both halves was very good and our spine in the first half was phenomenal. They completely dominated the game.
A victorious return to the @Betfred #SuperLeague for @WTrinityRL ⚜️
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— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 16, 2025
“I thought we were a bit unlucky not to be further [than 14-6] ahead at half-time. We gifted Leeds an opportunity to come back at us and then started the second half really poorly.
“We had to dig pretty deep then to find our way into the winning enclosure. Some of the things we did to stop tries were outstanding, putting our bodies in places it’s pretty uncomfortable to be.
“The level of commitment from everybody was outstanding and there were some big, big plays defensively.
“I thought we were pretty loose with the ball and that gifted Leeds an opportunity to attack us, but we had all the answers defensively.”
Wakefield Trinity lost Liam Hood to an ankle injury in the second half. Ky Rodwell didn’t play and Powell revealed: “He did his hamstring early in the week.
“It’s a grade two so he’ll be out six weeks, maybe even more. That’s very disappointing, but it happens.”
