Former Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC halfback Luke Gale has been linked with a move away from Wakefield Trinity and to Hull KR ahead of the new Super League season as the Robins look for a replacement for Jordan Abdull.
This was reported by the Yorkshire Post who revealed that Hull KR had made an offer for Gale which had been emphatically turned down.
New club owner Matthew Ellis even emphatically stated that the club were no longer in the business of selling their key players. In fact, the club look likely to make moves for some established Super League stars such as Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone of the Catalans Dragons.
However, speculation about Gale’s future increased when he was left out of the squad to face Wigan Warriors in Matty Ashurst’s testimonial.
Daryl Powell shuts down Luke Gale rumours
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Greig Cowie/Shutterstock 12409294h Castleford Tigers head coach Daryl Powell Castleford Tigers v Salford Red Devils, Dacia Magic Weekend, Betfred Superleague, Rugby League, St James Park, Newcastle, UK – 04 Sep 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Castleford Tigers v Salford Red Devils, Dacia Magic Weekend, Betfred Superleague, Rugby League, St James Park, Newcastle, UK – 04 Sep 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xGreigxCowie/Shutterstockx 12409294h
New Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell has a special relationship with Luke Gale as the coach who brought the best out of him.
Powell brought Gale to Castleford Tigers in 2015 after the Bradford Bulls were relegated in 2014. Gale immediately improved and was soon a consecutive member of the Super League Dream Team and in the England squad.
In 2017, as Powell led the Tigers to the League Leaders’ Shield and the Grand Final, Gale won the Man of Steel before featuring in the World Cup Final.
As chance would have it, the two have been reunited at Wakefield and Powell confirmed that Gale would be going nowhere.
Powell said to BBC Radio Leeds: “Yeah, there’s nothing in it at all. He’s just been on camp with us, he’s got a bit of an injury, a bit of a tweak from training. He hasn’t trained this week.
“We’re not going to risk him going into the Wigan game. We’ll get him right because he’s had a pretty special pre-season I’d have to say and he’s just picked up a little bit of something. He’ll be staying here.”
Wakefield Trinity Fixtures
Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com – 30/06/2023 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 17 – Wakefield Trinity v Salford Red Devils – Be Well Support Stadium, Wakefield, England – Wakefield’s Luke Gale celebrates after victory over Salford.
Wakefield will meet Wigan Warriors in Matty Ashurst’s testimonial on Friday 26th January in a game that Luke Gale will be absent for through injury.
The former Super League side will begin their first season in the Championship in over 25 years against another former Super League side in the shape of the Bradford Bulls at home.
Two weeks later they will face another test against Featherstone Rovers away. Their opening five fixtures also see them host newly promoted Doncaster as well as a dangerous York Knights side and Batley Bulldogs on the 21st of April.
You can read about the Championship structure for 2024 here.
