How Wakefield Trinity could line up in Super League next season

VaselineMay 7, 2024

0 4 minutes read

How Wakefield Trinity could line up in Super League next season

Wakefield Trinity are a club on the rise again after a difficult few years. They are top of the Championship following last year’s relegation from Super League, having won seven out of seven to start the season.

They recently announced the signing of England international Mike McMeeken from Catalans Dragons for next season. Their owner has spoken of his ambition to assemble the best squad Trinity have ever had in Super League.

With that in mind, we take a look at what Wakefield’s Super League side could look like for the 2025 season.

The back outside

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In Wakefield’s recent victory, Sheffield Eagles, Trinity It started with a back five of Max Jowitt, Derrell Olpherts, Iain Thornley, Oliver Pratt and Lachlan Walmsley.

For next season, Trinity are heavily linked with England international and the Catalans’ top scorer in the Super League last season, Tom Johnstone. Johnstone began his career with Wakefield and scored 87 tries for the club before moving to the south of France. He will most likely slot into the position currently occupied by Olpherts.

There have also been suggestions that a reunion between Zak Hardaker and Daryl Powell could take place at Wakefield Trinity. Hardaker is a multiple Grand Final and Challenge Cup winner. He enjoyed success with Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers and Leigh Leopards in the Super League. Hardaker also had a brief spell in the NRL. Hardaker is originally from Pontefract and can cover all positions in the back line.

These two star signings would complement the talents of Walmsley, Pratt and Jowitt, who have all been a key part of Wakefield’s success this year.

Half-backs

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This season, Wakefield’s first-choice half-back pairing has been Mason Lino and Luke Gale. Lino excelled in the Super League with Trinity before. Having signed a new three-year deal in 2023, Lino will be at the heart of their return to Super League.

Gale, on the other hand, is now 36 and nearing the end of a brilliant career. The former England international is out of contract at the end of the season. He looks unlikely to make the step back to Super League with Wakefield Trinity.

However, according to reports, Trinity has a replacement lined up. They have been heavily linked with Huddersfield Giants man Oliver Russell. Russell has found himself on the fringes of the Giants lineup this season and is out of contract at the end of the year. It seems more and more likely that he will be partnered with Lino next season.

Prostitute

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Liam Hood and the highly regarded Thomas Doyle are Wakefield’s two prostitutes this season. Both have the ability to make the step up to the Super League. Hood has Super League experience. After starting his career with Leeds, he also played in the Super League with Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards. Hood joined Wakefield Trinity in 2022.

Doyle joined Wakefield from Keighley Cougars in September. He started his career with the Bradford Bulls. Doyle has been the subject of interest from Super League clubs in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He is believed to have a bright future at the highest level.

Prop Forwards

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New signing Mike McMeeken will bring pedigree and high-level experience to Wakefield’s front row. He will most likely be the cornerstone of their pack in the Super League.

McMeeken will be joined by powerful prop Renouf Atoni. Atoni joined Wakefield ahead of the 2023 season. Atoni began his NRL career playing 43 games with the Canterbury Bulldogs. Atoni is 6′ 3” and weighs over 17 stone. He signed a new contract before this season which commits him to Trinity until the end of 2025.

Caleb Uele, who recently signed a new contract at the club, and the experienced Josh Bowden will provide cover for Wakefield’s front row.

The second row

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Matty Ashurst is a Wakefield stalwart. After spells with St Helens and Salford, he joined Wakefield Trinity in 2015. He made over 200 appearances for the club. Ashurst played 27 matches for Wakefield in the relegation season. He is the club’s captain and is likely to lead them out for their first game back in Super League in 2025.

Josh Griffin, is another player with significant Super League experience. He won the 2017 Challenge Cup with Hull FC and also enjoyed a successful spell with Salford. Griffin joined Wakefield in mid-2023. He is under contract until the end of the current season. However, he continues to be a strong performer and still has the ability to play in the Super League.

Loose forward

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Jay Pitts, 34, is Wakefield’s starting free forward. He is an experienced striker who has enjoyed a long career in the Super League and Championship. Pitts started out at Leeds, before spending time at Hull FC, Bradford and London Broncos. Joined Wakefield in 2020.

However, Trinity have been linked with a blockbuster move for Hull KR’s Matty Storton. KR coach Willie Peters has spoken of his desire to keep Storton. But Peters admits salary cap constraints could mean he has to go. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Wakefield are keen to bring him into the Super League campaign.

Storton would provide huge support to a strong Wakefield pack and is capable of covering all forward positions. It would be a massive signing.

Wakefield Trinity’s potential starting line-up for 2025:

FB – Max Jowitt
WG – Tom Johnstone
CE- Zak Hardaker
CE – Ollie Pratt
WG – Lachlan Walmsley
HB – Mason Lino
HB – Ollie Russell
PR – Mike McMeeken
HK – Liam Hood
PR – Renouf Atoni
SR – Matty Ashurst
SR – Josh Griffin
LF – Matty Storton