Luke Gale teases testimonial cameo as Wakefield Trinity build for Super League return

Luke Gale has teased a potential cameo at his testimonial match between Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers later this month.

Gale called time on his career at the end of 2024 as he retired on a win when Wakefield Trinity defeated Toulouse Olympique in the Championship Grand Final.

It marked the final professional game in a career dating back to 2007, however, the 36-year-old has hinted he could yet feature in his testimonial match which takes place on January 24th.

Wakefield Trinity will host Castleford Tigers as two of the playmaker’s former clubs come together for a pre-season friendly in honour of Gale’s impressive career that saw him make over 100 appearances for the Tigers and 35 for Trinity.

Speaking on the Wakefield Trinity YouTube channel, Gale – who is now a coach at the club’s academy – joked that he would have to start training again in preparation for a cameo appearance.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll get,” he said,

“I best start training. I have actually jumped into a few sessions with the first team recently as they were down a half-back.”

‘Fitting’ – Luke Gale looks forward to Wakefield Trinity testimonial

It will be the second game of the pre-season for Wakefield Trinity who narrowly lost to Leeds Rhinos on Boxing Day but it’s a fixture that Gale is pleased will cap off his playing career.

He explained: “I’m really looking forward to it. I finished my career off with Wakefield which I’m so glad I got the opportunity to do, it was a great year last year.

“Then with Castleford, I had five great seasons and I probably played the best footy of my career there. We went on to win the league there in 2017 and created many a good memory – we had some great nights down at the Jungle.

“It’s kind of fitting that I get the game of Castleford versus Wakefield so it’s fantastic. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Now that he has his coaching cap on, helping with the first team whilst working as head coach of the academy, he also noted what an important hit-out it will be for the club as they return to Super League.

He explained: “I think it will be a great occasion and it’ll be the first time that our boys are going to play a proper game really. We’ve not got many pre-season friendlies so I’m looking forward to seeing how the boys go.

“I’m a rugby league fan as well so I’m looking forward to seeing how we go. There are some new signings in there and the boys are looking sharp in pre-season.”

On his own chances of possibly taking to the field one last time, Gale explained that he has yet to actually discuss with Daryl Powell what sort of role he will play but he did tease a ‘little cameo’ – something that a player of his status in the sport has certainly earned.

“Who knows, I might play a little cameo towards the end but I’m not actually sure what the plan is yet,” he revealed.

“I’m sure Powelly will tell me but I think our boys are going to go pretty full-on for the first half anyway.

“It’s one last time to pull the boots on and to go out on a good memory. Two great clubs who I have had great nights with so one final memory will be fantastic. I might kick the ball off to start with and then come on when everyone gets tired.”