Willie Poching laments first-half showing against Leeds Rhinos as Wakefield Trinity suffer big Jacob Miller loss

Wakefield Trinity went down to a 34-18 loss at home to Leeds Rhinos tonight, with the visitors romping into a 30-0 half-time lead.

But, whilst Trinity scored two consolation tries with five minutes remaining, head coach Willie Poching lamented his side’s first-half showing.

“I thought whilst we had some intent about us, we just didn’t hold on to that aggression for long enough periods within sets let alone the half,” Poching said.

“They played extremely well and came with a plan and even with the conditions they got to some areas of the field where they tried to expose us.

“The scoreboard got away from us and whilst it was disappointing we tried to rally around at half-time and I was proud of the response at the end of it.

“I wasn’t worried about the scoreline just how we played the game, but it took us 25 minutes until we had a situation where we went set for set and you’re waiting for one of the sides to come up with a penalty and an error and unfortunately it was us and they ended up scoring.

“It was a lesson for us and I thought as a collective – myself included – we came up short.”

Poching also gave an update on captain Jacob Miller, who went off with just three minutes gone with concussion.

“That was disruptive, Harry Bowes had to go in the halves against Catalans and he did ok tonight too but you lose your chief architect and Mason Lino tried to step up.

“He put a lot of responsibility on himself especially with the kicking game and they noticed that and he was under pressure a lot.

“We will probably lose Milky (Jacob Miller) for the next run, but to lose him after two or three minutes was disruptive and it meant Liam Kay had to play long periods and he probably had his best game for us in that position.

“Jacob is a bit dizzy, but we will get a good check on him in the morning.”