Wakefield Trinity man labelled ‘a proper player’ as he continues to thrive in Super League

Caius Faatili has been labelled ‘a proper player’ by his head coach Daryl Powell after scoring yet another try for Wakefield Trinity on Friday.

Faatili was one of Wakefield’s strongest performers at Belle Vue as the West Yorkshire outfit edged their way through the challenge of Wigan Warriors on what was arguably their most memorable night of the season so far. He got Wakefield on their way to victory by going over in the first half for what was his seventh try of the season.

The prop has been one of the leading lights of the competition in recent months with his brace at Magic Weekend seeing Super League fans sit up and take notice. He repeated the feat against Warrington Wolves in the next match and against Salford Red Devils in the one after that.

As such, it came as little surprise to see Faatili named as May’s Super League player of the month and he marked that award by getting over against the league champions. It’s clear that Faatili is a man at the top of his game right now then and he’ll be looking to stretch that form over the second half of the season as the Trin strive to claim a spot in the top six.

Wakefield Trinity boss hails Caius Faatili

“He’s a proper player, isn’t he?,” Powell said about the forward when speaking after the round 15 contest. “I just think the way he carries the ball is different, he’s awkward and he has got an eye for a try and he uses his body well.

“I think Harvey Smith started really well, it was his second start and the other one was against Salford who didn’t have the strongest team obviously. For him to start, a young kid like him and handle the big physical boys that they’ve got as well as he did, and it was a smart pass for Caius to score, but Caius is a proper player.”

Wakefield take on league leaders Hull KR on Friday night and while they’ll know they have their work cut out, they’ll be determined to build on last week’s result against a team they pushed agonisingly close in the opening weeks of the campaign.