Wakefield Trinity recruitment analysed ahead of Super League return

Wakefield Trinity have been busy this year, making a huge number of new signings as part of a complete rehaul ahead of a return to Super League in 2025.

They won almost everything there was for them to win in 2024, with the RFL Championship League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final, as well as the 1895 Cup, going their way.

Here’s some analysis of their incoming players for 2025.

Wakefield Trinity recruitment analysed ahead of Super League return

Tom Johnstone

A major returnee to Belle Vue should make fans excited.

He scored 87 tries in 115 league games for Trinity, earning him a big move to the Dragons, where he scored 27 tries in 28 in his debut season in Perpignan.

This is an excellent pick-up after losing Jermaine McGillvary’s try-scoring ability. Although Johnstone’s year was disrupted by injury recently, he’s still an elite try-scorer that should buy into the club.

Mike McMeeken

Johnstone’s teammate in Perpignan last year, McMeeken has been one of the competition’s best second-rowers for a number of years now and came close to winning the Grand Final with both Castleford and Catalans as a key member of the squads.

He has signed a four-year deal in a major statement of intent and links back up with head coach Daryl Powell.

Powell said in a statement when he was signed: “He is one of the best professionals I have ever worked with and has grown even more since his time in Catalans as a player and as a leader.”

He’ll certainly bring a wealth of experience to the side – and will surely be part of their leadership group next year.

Cameron Scott

Signed for two years – with a club option for a third – one of the few bright sparks in Hull FC’s 2024 squad will now play at Belle Vue.

He’s a versatile signing, as he can play in the back row and on the wing, but he’s mostly a centre.

It’s unclear as to how quickly he’ll take to the field next year as he has been out injured since June and will be faced with a fight to get back to full form next year.

Corey Hall

Scott’s centre partner may be Corey Hall, who played for Castleford Tigers on loan from Hull KR in 2024 as part of a deal that saw Jack Broadbent go the other way.

At times, he could be a weak point in the Tigers’ defence and could fail to spot good runs from Jason Qareqare in attack, but at just 22, he’s far from the final product and now settled back at Wakefield, that could make all the difference.

His signing is another that sees a player return to their former club, after spending 2021 and 2022 with Wakefield Trinity, making four appearances.

Olly Russell

Trinity’s signings in the haves show perfectly how they’re planning for 2025, with Super League experience a-plenty.

Russell has been a starting Super League half since 2019 and brings a kicking game in an attempt to replace Luke Gale.

Jake Trueman

Russell will play alongside another man with plenty of Super League experience.

He has made 98 Super League appearances, but his potential partner Jake Trueman has made even more, with 119 to date.

Bursting onto the scene with Castleford Tigers under Daryl Powell, Trueman had plenty of promise and was seen as England’s starting stand-off for years to come when he moved from fullback, but a number of injuries meant he never made it to where he could have gone.

An ability to make the game about himself is a blessing and a curse, and he’s very capable of a big error, but there is a chance this signing could turn out to be an inspired one.

Matty Russell

Another experienced head, and another Russell, he will be excellent with Lachlan Walmsley and Tom Johnstone if he can replicate past form.

Signed by Daryl Powell at Warrington, he has over 200 first-grade appearances – including in NRL for Gold Coast Titans.

Seth Nikotemo

Moving away from Super League experience, the second-rower should slot into the starting 13, likely alongside Josh Griffin.

Another longer-term deal, at three years long, this looks to be a smart deal for a player that will be surrounded by players with experience at this level.

Josh Rourke

Likely a backup for Max Jowitt, Rourke had barely any Super League experience until 2024.

He played for London Broncos last year and scored an impressive eight tries in 15 appearances.

He looks to be an easy but clever pickup, but at 25 already, he may not ever become a starter.

Matty Storton

Back to experience, and this is a top signing that shows that Trinity have the financial muscle to compete with plenty of sides.

Making over 100 appearances for Hull KR in their recent rise up the league standings, he should be a nailed-on starter at loose forward in 2025 for Wakefield Trinity.