Wakefield Trinity reveal star man will replace Tinirau Arona in 2023 and not big signing

Jai Whitbread was perhaps Wakefield Trinity’s best player of 2023 and undoubtedly their star man.

By the end of the season, he was one of the best props in Super League and has been rewarded for this replacing Tinirau Arona as the club’s number 10 in 2023 beating out new signing Renouf Atoni to the shirt number.

Trinity had already announced their entire first choice back division and are now moving on to the unveiling of their first choice pack.

Trinity will have Max Jowitt wearing number one, Jorge Taufua at two with Tom Lineham beating star youngster Lewis Murphy to the number five shirt.

Ex-Leeds Rhinos man Corey Hall takes three with Reece Lyne, the former Hull FC centre who is celebrating a testimonial, keeps four with new signing Samisoni Langi overlooked.

Speaking of overlooking new signings, Morgan Smith missed out on six with former Huddersfield Giants halfback Lee Gaskell taking on six having worn 17 last year.

Mason Lino has kept seven whilst Eddie Battye was yesterday confirmed as keeping the number eight also ahead of Atoni.

Battye took on the eight shirt left by David Fifita who in his last season moved back to 35 last year.

Battye will now keep it again in 2023 as Atoni’s shirt number remains unclear.

That is true of all Wakefield’s signings with Kevin Proctor no closer to discovering his shirt number.