Mark Applegarth reveals the two positions at Wakefield Trinity up for grabs as he praises returning star

Yesterday, as Wakefield Trinity defeated Leeds Rhinos in a festive friendly, it underlined the strength of Wakefield’s squad depth.

This was especially seen on the wings where neither their number two nor number five featured as Jorge Taufua and Tom Lineham didn’t play with Lewis Murphy and Lee Kershaw both impressing scoring three tries between them.

After the game, Applegarth praised the returning Kershaw after he battled against an ACL injury revealing how intense the battle for the wing spot could be:

“First of all, I’m pleased for Lee, it was a difficult year when he got that ACL. He smashed his rehab, I’m pleased he’s back.

“Those wing spots are hot property. Lee and Lewis played today and Taufua and Tom Lineham to come back, they all know they need to be playing well to keep their spot.

“I’m pleased for Lee and I’m sure he will kick on.”

Another role that Applegarth confirmed was up for grabs was the halfback roles after new signing Morgan Smith impressed:

“He plays some great eyes up rugby does Morgan, he is definitely in the mix with Mason Lino and Lee Gaskell for Round One.

“There’s a difficult choice there. He put his hand up to play nine with Liam Hood injured.”

He went on to elaborate on Hood’s injury as he continued to praise Smith:

“Liam Hood has had a calf strain and Bowes has also had a bit of a strain up until two three days ago so Morgan put his hand up to play nine, so to play nine for 40 minutes and then 40 at halfback, I think it shows what he can do.”