Former Wakefield Trinity assistant coach Sean Long has tipped the Trin to bounce straight back into Super League, following the developments since the club’s takeover.
Wakefield Trinity have had a busy off-season following their relegation to the second tier, and are in the process of rebuild both on and off the pitch; and speaking exclusively to Serious About Rugby League, Long believes this will see them return to Super League at the first attempt.
“Obviously with Daryl coming in and the new owner coming in, they’re in the hot seat at the moment. They are looking very good with the new stadium, facilities and the players they’re bringing in.”
He added: “Daryl is a top coach and they’re in a very good place. I expect them to play straight back up.”
As Long touched on, Wakefield have made strides to improve all aspects of the club; however the most notable have been on the pitch.
Daryl Powell has taken the reigns as Head Coach, and has brought plenty of new talent to Belle Vue.
The likes of Jermaine McGillvary, Lachlan Walmsley, Luke Bain and Toby Boothroyd have all joined the project at Wakefield this year. Furthermore, they have also agreed a new dual-register partnership with Wigan Warriors, which should see some talented youngsters ply their trade in Wakefield colours next year.
Whilst he highlighted the steps Wakefield have taken this off-season, he also suggested the foundations were already in place for the Trin to return at the first attempt.
“I think with what was there in place anyway,” he said. “What Mark Applegarth had done previously, it was ready to go anyway even if they did go to the Championship.”
He added: “I think they would have bounced back straight anyway.”
Long finished the 2023 season as assistant coach at Wakefield, serving under then boss Mark Applegarth. During the interview with SARL, he detailed how his move to Belle Vue came about: “I went in to just help Mark Applegarth, I knew Mark was coaching on his own.”
He also said: “I’m mates with him, and obviously with Featherstone being really close to Wakefield I’d meet up with him for coffees and we’d discuss Rugby; and he just said to me ‘will you come and help me out?'”
He further exclaimed: “It was a no-brainer really, just to go in and help him out and try and keep them up.
“Unfortunately, we had a couple of close games, but didn’t get it over the line, which was a shame really. I was gutted for Mark and for Wakefield”.
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