Boss Daryl Powell admits Wakefield Trinity need a break after a sapping opening 20 Super League rounds.
Last year’s Championship winners leapfrogged Hull FC into sixth place on the table when Mason Lino’s last-gasp drop goal secured a dramatic 15-14 home win against Leeds Rhinos yesterday (Thursday).
Trinity have no game next weekend, because of the split round and return to action at home to another of their closest rivals, St Helens, on Friday, August 8.
Wakefield have been ravaged by injuries all year and Powell – whose side will slip back to seventh if Hull beat second-bottom Huddersfield Giants tomorrow – said that Trinity earned a week off.
“Especially for the boys who have been playing for 19-20 weeks, it is massive for them to get a breather,” he stressed.
“We have got a few other boys who will need to do some work next week, but ultimately we have done a great job coming into a week off.”
Wakefield Trinity fans praised for electric atmosphere
Trinity were missing key players against Leeds, but got through with no major fitness concerns and the long-term picture is looking brighter.
Powell said: “Cam Scott got a little bit of a knee strain. He could have played on, but we had Seth Nikotemo on the bench who I thought was pretty good when he came on.
“Apart from that, I don’t think we had too much. Obviously we had a few boys pull out. Isaiah [Vagana] was suspended, Liam Hood has tonsillitis, Caleb Hamlin-Uele has got a decent calf injury so he’ll be missing for a fair while, but we will get a few boys back and have a bit more competition for places against St Helens, which is another big game for us.”
Off the field, Trinity are celebrating their biggest home gate for more than a decade. A capacity crowd 9,252 watched the game against Leeds and Powell reflected: “Last year was a big year for us, a reset year.
“We won the Grand Final here, it was buzzing, packed and it has been more of the same this year. Even against Catalans, the club did a great job of getting the numbers down here and [Thursday] was electric, I thought.
“You could get a bit of a sizzle as the boys came out; you’ve got the fireworks and a lot of Leeds fans here, so it was a balanced game from the fans’ perspective and a tight game and for the club, I think it’s huge. Nights like these show the club is in a great place on and off the field, which is key.
“The stand up if you love the Trin’ chant is something I have got to love and I think it brings the place to life, so it is great to hear.”
What A Result!! Perfect for a sellout crowd!! #UpTheTrin pic.twitter.com/1kgp8Gvnzv
— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) July 24, 2025
