Wakefield’s sensational pack, Salford’s defensive woes and Wakefield Trinity v Salford Red Devils talking points

Round twelve of Super League was completed on Sunday afternoon as Wakefield Trinity hosted Salford Red Devils.

Unsurprisingly, Wakefield secured a record-equalling victory, winning 72-10, in front of a crowd of 6,277 at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.

First half tries from Mike McMeeken, Max Jowitt, Caius Fa’atili and Mason Lino as well as a brace from Lachlan Walsmley gave Wakefield a 30-0 lead going into the sheds.

Despite scoring first in the second half with a Jonny Vaughan score and later through Nene Macdonald, it was business as usual for Trinity.

Cam Scott, Josh Rourke, Seth Nikotemo and Jay Pitts (on his 150th Wakefield appearance) all added four-pointers in the second half for the home side, Ellis Lingard scored a brace on his debut, and Fa’atili bagged himself another try.

Both coaches had decisions to make in the halves before naming their squads, and here were the main talking points from the game.

Wakefield Trinity v Salford Red Devils talking points

Salford defensive woes

Unfortunately, Salford’s 2025 season isn’t getting any easier with another heavy defeat. What was most displeasing was that it wasn’t just one gap that the tries were conceded in; it was that they were leaking points across the field.

There was very little cohesion when moving forward to approach the Trinity attack, which isn’t surprising considering Paul Rowley has had to chop and change his squad every single week of the season so far.

However, it doesn’t make it any easier, especially for the senior players that they do have, to spend most of the game defending and mostly on their own line too.

The entire squad just looked defeated from the get-go as the club’s off-the-field issues are too large to simply ignore. Credit to their players for showing up and putting their hands up to play every week.

Wakefield Trinity pack one of the best in the league

Hull KR and Wigan Warriors might be Super League’s top dogs right now, but Wakefield’s pack is definitely up there with the best of them.

Mike McMeeken, Jay Pitts, and Caius Fa’atili in particular are all in some career-best form right now and provided they keep fit, Trinity’s forward line should continue to make the metres for the backs to score off the back of them.

It also helps that their forwards also like to get themselves on the scoresheet as well, with the above trio all scoring tries today.

Macdonald and Connell as Salford’s bright spark

Not only did he get himself on the scoresheet, Macdonald looked to be the most influential Salford player in attack.

Whilst it wasn’t a vintage performance by any means for the centre-turned-fullback for the afternoon, Salford’s attack definitely looked at its best when he was involved as much as possible.

However, it does feel like he’s simply putting himself in the shop window, with Salford fans resigned to losing him eventually, whether that’s in a matter of weeks or at the end of the season.

Nathan Connell also found gaps in Wakefield’s outer defence, making a couple of breaks down the wing. The Salford academy product gave the Salford fans something to cheer about with his breaks but it wasn’t enough to make much of a difference for his side.

Trinity kicking improvement needed

If there was one negative to come out of their victory, it was that their kicking game wasn’t at its best this afternoon.

Both Max Jowitt and Mason Lino are competent, out-of-hand kickers, with most tries going through their hands instead of through their boots.

Whilst it wasn’t a big issue in today’s match, the top teams’ defending is more likely to smother up the halfbacks before the ball can leave their boot or hands.

It was more of an observation than a downside of their performance, as Jowitt and Lino were integral to many of Wakefield’s tries today.

Johnstone injury a concern

If there’s any player who’s had some of the worst luck with injuries in their career, Tom Johnstone has to be up there.

Unfortunately, he limped off just before the half-time hooter sounded with what looked like a lower leg injury sustained during a tackle.

He was replaced by Jayden Myers on his Wakefield Trinity debut, but Johnstone never returned to the field.

Whilst he might not have scored as many tries as the Trinity fans might’ve liked in 2025, with just five in Super League, but he can always create a moment of magic if the ball is thrown out wide to him.

It’s particularly a concern considering that most of his long-term injuries have been lower limb issues, including last season’s broken leg.

A record equalling @Betfred #SuperLeague victory for @WTrinityRL ⚜️#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/KwE1KGVIda

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 25, 2025