Wakefield Trinity hosted Huddersfield Giants in wet conditions at the DIY Kitchens Stadium and there were plenty of key talking points.
In the end it was an easy win for Wakefield despite Huddersfield’s recent form. Trinity ran in eight tries to win 48-2 with the Giants only points coming from a penalty on the eve of half-time.
One of the biggest talking points came before kick-off as Max Jowitt was left out of the Wakefield Trinity starting XIII and was instead named 18th man.
The full-back had picked up a knock last week but given his struggling form of late and the fact he was deemed fit enough to be the 18th man, it’s believed to have been a selection decision by Daryl Powell.
The team news also saw Huddersfield hand out a debut to teenager Marshall Land, a player Luke Robinson explained was a running half.
Leeds Rhinos’ 34-0 win over Hull FC meant Trinity had plenty of incentive to win with a place in the top six at stake. They earned that as they defeated Huddersfield and here are some of the key talking points.
Wakefield Trinity v Huddersfield Giants talking points
Max Jowitt
Daryl Powell’s decision to leave Max Jowitt out as 18th man was a curious one and whilst there is certainly an element of injury about it, it seems to be a form selection.
Josh Rourke came in and took his chance as he got on the scoresheet and looked very capable at the back in wet and windy conditions, whilst Mason Lino kicked near perfectly as Jowitt’s replacement.
From being one of the club’s standouts to struggling in recent weeks, Daryl Powell might have a full-back headache on his hands just like Paul Wellens does.
Milestone for Powell
With this victory, Daryl Powell racked up his 250th career win from 432 games. He racked up plenty of those wins last year whilst in the Championship with Wakefield and he’s added far more this year than many expected.
Trinity have now won 13 Super League games and are favourites to win two more this season and with Powell having recently signed a new contract, he looks well set to push on for 300.
Ban incoming
Taane Milne is only just returning from a ban with the centre penalised recently for speaking out against the referee and he found himself in hot water again today.
This time it was a high tackle with Milne sent to the sin bin with the only reason it wasn’t red being the fact that ball carrier Josh Rourke was slipping into contact.
Rourke was quick to accept Milne’s apology but with Milne already on 6.5 penalty points, any charge would see him handed an immediate ban.
Play-off push
With Hull FC losing to Leeds earlier in the day, Wakefield were able to leapfrog the Black and Whites with this win and it’s now hard to imagine how they will sacrifice that top six spot.
They’ll play both Salford Red Devils and Castleford Tigers as well as Hull KR, whilst Hull FC have to better their results when also playing KR, as well as Warrington Wolves and Catalans Dragons.
It therefore seems very likely that Wakefield Trinity will be making the top six having just been promoted, an incredible achievement.
Teams
Wakefield Trinity XIII: Josh Rourke, Matty Russell, Cameron Scott, Oliver Pratt, Tom Johnstone, Jake Trueman, Mason Lino, Mike McMeeken, Liam Hood, Caius Faatili, Matty Storton, Seth Nikotemo, Jay Pitts
Interchanges: Renouf Atoni, Isaiah Vagana, Mathieu Cozza, Harvey Smith
Huddersfield Giants XIII: George Flanagan, Jake Bibby, Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne, Sam Halsall, Kieran Rush, Marshall Land, Fenton Rogers, Zac Woolford, Tristan Powell, Harry Rushton, Joe Greenwood, Leroy Cudjoe
Interchanges: Ashton Golding, Matty English, Tom Burgess, Oliver Wilson
.@WTrinityRL are now in the top 6 🙌#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/mmjrh1VsYZ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 30, 2025
