Wakefield Trinity and Jack Sinfield seem to be a perfect match at the moment, as the half-back picked up yet another Player of the Match award, this time in the Challenge Cup against Leeds Rhinos.
After starring in wins over Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC, Sinfield again was crowned the game’s best player, after a sublime performance against his former club.
Sinfield, 21, was released from his contract at Leeds in order to pursue a move to Wakefield this off-season, a switch that has proved fruitful so far.
With that move though, came eyeballs, and an expectation to perform, especially against his former employers.
Showing just how much he has developed, the playmaker was in top form, and executed well in both attack and defence.
The game was broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, and Sinfield was awarded the Player of the Match moniker by former England international Kevin Brown.
Speaking after the game, the Wakefield half-back said: “Yeah, I’m really happy we were able to get the win.
“We’ve been focused on getting through to the next round of the Challenge Cup, and we’ve done that, so yeah, really happy with it.
Sinfield was influential in Trinity’s second try, as his beautifully placed kick to Tom Johnstone provided the winger an opportunity to send Oliver Pratt in for a try.
On that moment, which was a crucial one as it reduced the half-time deficit from eight to two, he explained:
“Tom had just played the ball in front of me, so I called it because I knew there were half an minute left, and when you put him in a bit of space, he can do some special things.”
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Jack Sinfield stars as Wakefield Trinity knock out Leeds Rhinos in Challenge Cup
Sinfield was, as mentioned, a man in the spotlight in the game, after featuring against his former club for the first time.
Asked about what it’s like to play against Leeds, the 21-year-old said: “It’s a bit weird, to be honest.
Obviously, I’m playing against a lot of my good mates there, so it’s weird, but once you’re in the game, it sort of feels like any other game, and I’m just happy to be in the next round.”
On working under Trinity boss Daryl Powell, who himself is a former Leeds player and coach, he added: “He’s been really good to me.
He’s been giving me little tips here and there when I came through [the academy], and he’s put a lot of faith in me and given me a lot of confidence, so I’m really enjoying it.”
