Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell boss has explained Mason Lino’s absence in today’s victory over Huddersfield Giants.
Lino was a shock absentee from the 17 when the line-ups were revealed earlier this afternoon, particularly after the boss said in the week that there were no major injury concerns.
The club’s new number seven was one of many players who had a night to forget in their defeat to Toulouse last week, but Powell has confirmed that it was not selection, but injury that kept the 32-year-old out.
Jack Sinfield featured in his place, and did excellent, as he was awarded the Player of the Match for his role in the win.
Powell spoke to Sky Sports after the game, and explained both Lino’s status and his thoughts on Sinfield’s performance.
“I thought he was really good today, Jack,” said the boss.
“Mason got a little bit of a hamstring [issue]. He would have got the benefit of the doubt, an few players would from the week before, but I thought Jack was great.
“He’s been training really well. I said to him in [training] this week, ‘you’re first opportunity is not too far away’ and I thought he took it today, he was outstanding.”
Trinity are now off the mark in Super League, but the result could have been a lot different, had Huddersfield been able to find a fourth try to seal the win.
With a 14-point lead with 15 to go, the game looked to be wrapped up, but a try double from George Flanagan Jr brought the Giants within two points, and they were in huge danger of letting the result slip.
Powell was the first to admit he was incredibly nervous heading into the final few minutes, and explained how overall, his side must fix up in key areas as the season goes on.
He said: “I went to see my father-in-law yesterday… he’s just had a pacemaker fitted, and I reckon I might go in for one myself after that.
“It was a bit edgy at the end. I thought we were really good in parts, and defensively we were a lot better than we were last week.
“I just thought we made too many errors really. I thought we were a bit nervous today.
“You get the monkey off your back every year with your first win, and that was a big win.
“I think there’s loads to improve, but that’s a big win for us today.”
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Wakefield Trinity boss unphased by pressure of reaching play-offs in 2026
Wakefield made the tip six in 2025, to the surprise of many, and after doing so now head into the new year with an expectation on their back – something Powell’s Trinity have not yet experienced.
With the league being as competitive as it is, and shock results coming left and right, it is games like that one that Trinity need to hold on and claim the win if they are to be competing in the finals come September.
Commenting on that pressure, Powell explained how the side just need to focus on their own game, and as long as they perform to what he knows is capable, they will be in with a shot again in 2026.
He said: “Of course [it’s a challenge]. Everybody starts jumping up and down when you lose a game, but half the teams lose in round one, don’t they?
“That’s the way it is, but it doesn’t mean to say they’re not going to have a great season.
“It’s a little bit more awkward this year. The rules have changed a little bit, the players are still getting used to that…
“We just made too many errors today, and put ourselves under pressure.”
