Wakefield Trinity boss has tipped two of his stars to make the England World Cup squad this season after some stellar performances to begin 2026.
Trinity secured their fifth victory in a row after a 34-0 dismantling of Castleford Tigers in ‘Rivals Round’, and as a result has seen enough from some of his players to feel they are at international standard.
Of course, Wakefield already have two members of their squad currently in the England camp, with Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken both taking part in the Ashes series defeat to Australia in autumn.
Now, Powell hopes that two more players can join them in the international side, despite the nation not actually having an appointed coach at this time.
Jake Trueman is one of those men, and if he were to be selected would be making his full England debut. He featured for his country in the 9’s tournament back in 2019, and was also part of the touring Great Britain squad the same year, however he didn’t make an appearance in those games.
The Wakefield boss believes that this season could be the one where Trueman earns his first international cap, after going under the radar in the early part of the campaign.
I think he’s a phenomenal player,” Powell said to the press post-match. “He sees things that other players don’t see.
“Sometimes I try to open him up a little bit to express himself a little bit more because he’s potentially one of the best halves in the comp, potentially an international player.
“For me, this season I think he’s turned into a winner, just wanting to win. The way he’s carrying the ball and getting himself involved in everything really. His kicking game is getting better consistently, thinking about putting the opposition under pressure. I think he’s a phenomenal player.
“All he needs is to play consistently, which he is at the moment, and have a team around him that can set the game up for him. He’s capable of anything.
“…I think he is [good enough for a place in the World Cup squad], yeah. I think he’s got to prove a few things. We don’t know who the coach is yet, so that’s yet to be decided.
“I think for Truey, he has to show he’s a winner, because you need winners on the field at international level, you do in Rugby League, but you need everybody needs to be a winner. I feel like Truey is really growing into it.
“He looks like he wants to win everything that he does at the moment. I love that about him. I love how he’s grown into that.
“The amount of times he’s carrying the ball. Sometimes you’re like, I probably wouldn’t have carried that as a half-back there. I just think he’s getting himself involved and enjoying the physical side of the game.”
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Another man who could make the plane to Australia is prop Caleb Hamlin-Uele. Born in New Zealand, Hamlin-Uele qualifies for England on heritage, with his grandfather hailing from England.
He has said previously he wouldn’t mind putting his hand up and representing that heritage, something that Powell believes would be a huge boost for the country.
“I think Caleb has got huge potential,” the boss said. “I think that’s the best game he’s played today. He was awesome today, I thought.
“He’s been a little bit of a slow burner going into this season, missed a bit of pre-season, but I think he looks like he’s going to be huge from here on in.
“He’s available, so whoever the coach is has to make a call on whether they see him as being a part of that. We’re a little bit short on international front-rowers, aren’t we?
“He potentially is a decent option, and he’s said that’s what he wants to do. He’d certainly be an option, I would say.”
