Despite Wakefield Trinity losing to Hull KR, one of Trin’s young stars is the major talking point from the game with centre Oliver Pratt putting in an outstanding performance.
Pratt scored late on to give Trinity hope but a missed conversion and a lack of time on the clock went against Wakefield as they fell 14-12 on their home return to Super League.
Officially, the Man of the Match award went to Hull KR winger Tom Davies who scored his 100th career try and made an impressive 183 metres, however, that figure was eclipsed by Pratt who made an incredible 216 metres off his 21 carries.
Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell joked in his post-match interview that Davies was wearing Pratt’s Man of the Match medal, with the Trinity boss just one of several to laud praise on the 20-year-old.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Powell joked: “I just said to Pratty, ‘Tom Davies has got your award there around his neck, you need to go and ask him for it.’
“I just thought he was unbelievable, a performance from a young kid in his third game in Super League. He was beating people for fun, he’s going to grow immeasurably from that.”
‘Special’ Wakefield Trinity talent Oliver Pratt tipped to be next Super League star
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Pratt’s performance had caught more than just the eye of Daryl Powell with Sky Sports’ pundits Jon Wilkin and Danny McGuire also raved about the young centre.
Praising Wakefield Trinity’s performance, Wilkin said: “When they move the ball, they look clinical. I thought Max Jowitt was outstanding. Pratt, what a player Pratt is.”
Castleford Tigers head coach McGuire was also on punditry duty and he declared Pratt as someone who will be a “special player” who will help attract fans to games with his style of play.
McGuire said: “I’ve seen him play a few times and he is an absolute talent. He glides, he’s athletic and the way he scored that try at the end – he’s going to be a special player.
“I loved watching him play today. I’ve seen him play previously and I was excited to come to the game and that’s what we want to see.
“We want to see these young, English, talented players that bring excitement, that can do things that are special. They get you off your seat and he’s one of them players.”
Wakefield centre earns Bevan French comparison after incredible try
WAKEFIELD CLOSE THE GAP 🤏
What a try from Oliver Pratt in the final minutes ⏰ pic.twitter.com/TwDUPkY4R5
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 20, 2025
Making Pratt’s performance even more impressive was the fact that it was just his third Super League appearance, earning his debut as a teenager in 2023 before earning the start these last two weeks.
When Wakefield dominated in the Championship, Pratt established himself as one of the competition’s best but even still it was natural for their to be question marks if he could translate that success to Super League. In just two games, he has shut the door on any questions.
Wilkin even compared his running style to that of former Man of Steel Bevan French, stating: “Daryl Powell referenced his ability to beat players. You can do what you want with structure and shape but there’s something in the game where if you can just beat people, Bevan French does it where he just beats men.
“Well Pratt, when he gets the ball, he’s got a balanced sort of languid running style and he just maintains his speed and his strength despite changing direction. His footwork’s exceptional.”
Pratt’s late try saw him dance through three defenders who also had the touchline in their favour and whilst that was incredible, Wilkin argued it was simply the cherry on top of a “sensational” performance.
The ex-St Helens man said: “It was kind of cool him scoring that try, it was amazing moment but his overall performance, I’m talking defensive, contact, reading the player from the position – he didn’t put a foot wrong in that regard, and for a young man, I thought he was just sensational.”
