Starting XVII: Is this how Wakefield Trinity will line up in 2022?

2022 could be a massive year for Wakefield Trinity. A new era is truly beginning under Willie Poching and based on how well he guided the club at the end of 2021, he could turn Trinity into a play-off contender.

Poching will be hoping to continue the form Wakefield showed at the end of 2022 and if they can do that they’ll be pushing for a place in the top six. With a number of exciting signings, it’s clear that Trinity could surprise a few in 2022. But what will their strongest line up look like at the start of the season?

Fullback: Max Jowitt

Max Jowitt has been handed the number one shirt going into 2022, so it stands to reason that, despite the presence of exciting signing Lee Gaskell in the squad, that he’ll be seen as Poching’s first choice fullback at the start of the season. A natural fullback who has every attribute you’d want from a number one, under Poching he could become a key player for Trinity in 2022.

Wingers: Tom Johnstone and Tom Lineham

Few Super League clubs can claim to have two wingers quite as good as the two Toms Wakefield will have on their flanks in 2022. We all know the quality of Tom Johnstone when fit. He never fails to score a spectacular try whether it’s long range and all about pace or an acrobatic finish, Johnstone has everything in his impressive arsenal. Meanwhile, Lineham is another brilliant winger who joins Wakefield from Warrington with a point to prove. One of Super League’s most underrated wingers, he should be remembered fondly at the Halliwell Jones for some spectacular tries such as the four pointers he notched in both the Challenge Cup and Super League semi-final victories in 2018. Powerful and equipped with pace, he’s a superb winger.

Centres: Bill Tupou and Reece Lyne

As with the wingers, the centres Trinity will likely field are both top quality. Bill Tupou is former member of the Super League Dream Team and with power and pace is at times unstoppable. If he can remain fit he, in the same vein as Johnstone, could really catch the eye in 2022. Meanwhile, Reece Lyne just needs to continue the good work that saw him pick up two appearances for England in 2022. Arguably Wakefield’s best player in 2021, expect another big year from the former Hull FC man.

Halfbacks: Jacob Miller and Mason Lino

Willie Poching confirmed after the Boxing Day defeat to Leeds that he was happy to play Lee Gaskell either in the halves or at fullback meaning the 2011 Grand Finalist could feature anywhere across Trinity’s spine in 2022. However, despite the renaissance he enjoyed at Huddersfield, he’ll likely start the season behind Jacob Miller and Mason Lino in the pecking order such was the way they finished 2021 together with Lino catching the eye with some exquisite goalkicking.

Props: Eddie Battye and Tinirau Arona

After a strong end to 2021, Battye has been awarded the number 8 jersey and will be a trustworthy prop for Poching and his side this season and will likely get Wakefield off to a solid start most weeks. Alongside him is Tinirau Arona whose physicality will cause most teams problems down the middle.

Hooker: Liam Hood

Despite Leigh’s struggles in 2021 as they slipped back down to the Championship, Liam Hood stood out nabbing a fair few tries and causing even the best defences in Super League problems with darting runs from dummyhalf. He’ll settle in well into the number nine jersey vacated by Kyle Wood and could catch the eye with his attacking style behind the ruck.

Second-Rowers: Matty Ashurst and Jay Pitts

Jay Pitts was rewarded with Wakefield’s Player of the Year award and there could be little argument such was his work rate and consistency week on week. Given the number 13 shirt in 2022, he could very well start at loose-forward but a quality second-rower as well, I can see him starting in the backrow alongside another underappreciated backrower in the shape of the fantastic Matty Ashurst who is another grafter but can also be a serious attacking threat.

Loose-Forward: Jordy Crowther

Trinity like their ball-playing 13s, just look at the key role the departed Joe Westerman played for Trinity when available last season. Jordy Crowther could very well provide something similar and in the difficult friendly at Headingley alongside plenty of youngsters he demonstrated the qualities he can bring at 13 as he proved to be a leader bringing tenacity and skill to the middle of the field.