Wakefield Trinity play their first game of pre-season next week as they take on Leeds Rhinos at Headingley. It’s a traditional clash with Wakefield providing the opposition for Leeds’ Festive Challenge on Boxing Day.
Wakefield’s 2024 season came to an end on October 19 with a win over Toulouse Olympique in the Championship play-off final and as a result, the trial against their West Yorkshire rivals comes relatively early into their pre-season training schedule.
However, Daryl Powell’s side will still be confident of being able to upset their hosts and the head coach has named a 22-man squad for the contest. With that in mind we take a look at how Trinity might line-up against Leeds on the 26th.
Well, with Max Jowitt not included, it seems as though Josh Rourke will have the chance to start in the full-back role and lay down a marker. He looked the part when he was fit last season and Wakefield have signed him to compete with Jowitt for the number one spot.
Cam Scott looks set to get a start, too, after overcoming the hamstring tear that brought a premature end to his Hull FC career. Corey Hall is another new signing who looks set to get the nod and the two centres could find themselves either side of a brand new half-back combination.
Jake Trueman and Oliver Russell have take the number six and seven shirts this season and it seems as though they could be the club’s starting half-backs moving into the competitive action. As such, while it is still early, it’s fair to assume Powell will want to give them as much time as possible on the pitch together over the winter.
Harvey Smith could get a start at hooker, while Seth Nikotemo appears likely to start in the back-row. Matty Storton, who joins from Hull KR, can play in most positions across the pack, but he might just be seen through the middle as a loose-forward.
Predicted Wakefield Trinity line-up v Leeds Rhinos: Josh Rourke; Lachlan Walmsley, Cam Scott, Corey Hall, Jack Croft; Jake Trueman, Oliver Russell; Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Harvey Smith, Ky Rodwell; Seth Nikotemo, Isaiah Vagana; Matty Storton
Bench: Isaac Shaw, Mathieu Cozza, Noah Booth, Mason Lino, Ellis Lingard, Cain Staveley-Carr, Tom Delaney, Dom Sinfield, Rowan Stephenson.
🎅🏻 INITIAL BOXING DAY SQUAD CONFIRMED!!
Daryl Powell said we’d see a mix of experience and youth while also getting to see our new signings in action and that is exactly what we have!!
🎟️ Tickets are available right now for the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge!!#UpTheTrin pic.twitter.com/51F6fTw8zz
— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) December 17, 2024
