Wakefield Trinity boss makes “top end” statement after ‘courageous’ Hull KR loss

Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell claimed his side can compete at the “top end” of Super League as he assessed the loss to Hull KR.

Trinity looked a far cry from the side that last played a home match in Super League, also against Hull KR but in 2023 in a huge defeat.

Instead, they almost took the Robins to golden point and it would have been thoroughly deserved as Max Jowitt’s missed conversion proved crucial as Hull KR won 14-12.

That was the same scoreline that Wakefield defeated Leeds Rhinos by in Round One and head coach Daryl Powell expects his side to be in and around those sort of teams consistently throughout the year.

“We’ve got a team, we know that”, he declared proudly after the final hooter on Sky Sports.

“We’ve got quite a few boys missing from that today as well, so we know we’ve got a team that can compete at the top end, we think, and we just have to prove that on a regular basis.”

Wakefield Trinity boss makes “top end” statement after ‘courageous’ Hull KR loss

FULL TIME: Wakefield Trinity 12-14 Hull KR

Trinity fall at home in a tight contest!#UpTheTrin pic.twitter.com/NUXV0dEq8O

— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) February 20, 2025

Giving further assessment, Powell labelled his team as unlucky and explained just how tough his team were in the clash with last year’s Super League Grand Finalists.

Powell explained: “I thought we were a little bit unlucky tonight. I think that period after we scored our try changed it a little bit. We ended up kicking out on the full and Hull KR were good enough, Mikey Lewis is difficult to manage in those positions,

“But I thought we were outstanding tonight, we hung in a real tough battle of the game, we found a way to get ourselves close to being level and then I’d have backed ourselves at the end there but anyway, it is what it is. Tough game.

“I thought we were outstanding and we’ll get a lot from that.”

A number of injuries meant players such as Ky Rodwell, Cam Scott, Liam Hood, Renouf Atoni and Seth Nikotemo missed out with Jake Trueman a late withdrawal on account of a sickness bug.

That bug forced centre Corey Hall off the field at half time and Powell was asked if he’s fearful it will impact Trinity’s next game.

He responded: “Well, I don’t know. We’ve got a long turnaround now so hopefully we’ll be a little bit more healthy when we come to the game here against St. Helens but yeah there’s a little bit (of a bug).

“I mean Corey, that was pretty tough for him to play today. He’s throwing up in the changing rooms at half-time and it’s a courageous effort from him.”

With Hall’s withdrawal, it meant a home Wakefield Trinity debut for Josh Rourke who was another to receive praise as Powell hailed the performance of his entire squad.

He said: “Josh Rourke, I don’t think he’s played the centre before but he went out there and did a good job for us so next man up is the way we’re going about at the moment. I’m just really proud of everybody.”

Two players who come in for particular pundit praise were Max Jowitt and Oliver Pratt with the latter being specifically mentioned by Powell when he was asked about his full-back.

Powell responded: “I thought Max was outstanding today but i thought Oliver Pratt was the best player on the field to be honest.

“Everything he did today, his ability to beat people was phenomenal. He scores that try that gets us within touching distance but yeah, Max is class and he has signed another contract which we are delighted with.”