Wakefield Trinity signing picks out positives after ‘unlucky’ loss to Leeds Rhinos

Wakefield Trinity narrowly lost 18-16 to Leeds Rhinos on Boxing Day and one of the club’s signings has given their thoughts on the game.

The traditional Boxing Day affair gave both head coaches chances to blood their youngsters and incorporate new signings – of which Wakefield Trinity have a lot with the promoted club making the most of any Super League side for 2025.

Among those new signings who debuted on Boxing Day was former London Broncos star Josh Rourke, the former Salford man ending the 2024 season as the capital side’s top try scorer despite missing half of the season.

Rourke will have to compete with Max Jowitt for the full-back role when the season rolls around and his first audition went well, despite the loss.

“I think (we were) unlucky at the end there to be honest,” Rourke said when reflecting on the loss, noting the hosts’ 75th-minute try to deny Trinity the win.

“It was a close game but I think we started slow and made a few errors early on so we were doing way too much defending.

“It’s always going to be difficult in those types of games. It’s our first proper hit out as a squad, we’ve got a lot of new players coming into the team as well.”

Wakefield Trinity signing applauds young stars

Rourke had been firing in pre-season for London Broncos in early 2024 but suffered an injury in the final game before the season launched, something that ruled him out until Round 16.

From then, the 25-year-old played every remaining game, bagging eight tries in the process, thus earning him a shot with Super League side Trinity.

“It was tough but good to get 80 minutes in the legs,” he explained post-match as he assessed his and the team’s performance.

“(I went) alright, I think. I’m just settling into a new team and a new system so it’s getting used to new combinations with the lads.

“Obviously, with that many changes, it’s always going to be difficult. There were some good moments in there but a lot to work on.

“I think we’ll get back in training after a couple of days off and start building towards the season.”

Plenty of the new faces that Wakefield had to incorporate were the club’s young stars of the future, two of which got a mention from Rourke after they both scored.

Asked about the youngsters in the team, Rourke explained: “They are the positives that you can take out of it. If you look at Noah (Booth) who goes the length and then he (Dom Sinfield) obviously scores in the corner which is a great finish and a moment that he won’t forget.

“So it’s really good for the young boys. I thought they came in and gave us effort and that’s all we ask for really so it was a good performance by them.”

The Trinity faithful also got big plaudits from the full-back after Wakefield fans packed out the away end and helped contribute to an attendance of 10,883.

“They were class,” Rourke said.

“From the moment that we came out for the warm-up, they were behind us and shouting and cheering. They packed out that away end.

“It’s unreal for them to come in the numbers that they did and I can’t wait to play in front of them at home.”