Wakefield Trinity recruitment assessed as Jon Wilkin explains club’s biggest battle

The Super League new boys Wakefield Trinity have been dividing opinions over their 2025 chances and pundit Jon Wilkin has had his say.

Prior to round one, many tipped them to struggle to compete with the bigger teams at the top end of the table over the course of the season, others have them as a surprise package if their squad can find a rhythm.

Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin seems to sit in the middle of both opinions, agreeing that whilst Trinity have signed some good players, competing on a weekly basis could still be a big challenge.

Speaking before the club’s 14-12 win over Leeds Rhinos on Sky Sports News, Wilkin said: “It’s all well and good going into the Championship and winning every week. Look, it’s difficult to do that but the level of intensity that they’re going to face is wholly different.

“They’re going to have to get up to Super League intensity and quickly.”

Very few experts have Wakefield Trinity near the play-off spots but most don’t have them finishing at the foot of the table either.

However, most agree that they’ve signed a couple of quality players in key positions for them.

He said: “In Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken, they’ve brought in two players of real pedigree.”

Nevertheless, their fanbase seems to be optimistic about their team and hopes that their new-look backline will see them scoring plenty of points.

Along with Johnstone and McMeeken, Trinity has added some big names including Cam Scott, Corey Hall, Jake Trueman, Olly Russell, Matty Russell, Matty Storton and Seth Nikotemo.

In the last couple of weeks, they’ve also added New Zealander Caius Faatili as well as Neil Tchamambe on a season-long loan from Hull KR, a deal which saw Wakefield youngster Noah Booth going the other way.

Wilkin added: “There’s a really good feeling about the Trin as they call them. I think their fans are buoyant and excited.

“There’s loads of positivity about them being back in Super League, I’m just excited to see how they go but they have recruited really well.”