Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete at the highest level of Super League, despite their narrow loss to Hull KR. Powell remained optimistic about his squad’s potential, emphasizing that they can challenge top-tier teams consistently.
Trinity showed significant improvement compared to their last Super League home match against Hull KR in 2023, where they suffered a heavy defeat. This time, they nearly forced the game into golden point extra time, falling short due to Max Jowitt’s missed conversion, which proved decisive in Hull KR’s 14-12 victory.
Powell reflected on the performance, acknowledging that while they came up just short, the effort and resilience displayed by his players were commendable. Notably, Wakefield had previously secured a 14-12 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the opening round, reinforcing Powell’s belief that his squad belongs among the league’s competitive teams.
“We know we have a strong team,” Powell said in a post-match interview on Sky Sports. “Even with several key players missing today, we showed we can compete at the top level. Now, we need to demonstrate that consistency throughout the season.”
Further analyzing the game, Powell described his side as unlucky and praised their tenacity against last season’s Super League Grand Finalists. He noted a pivotal moment after Wakefield’s try, where an error allowed Hull KR to gain momentum. Mikey Lewis proved challenging to contain, but Powell remained proud of his team’s effort.
“I thought we were outstanding tonight,” he continued. “It was a tough contest, and we managed to stay in it until the very end. I’d have backed us to push through, but it just didn’t go our way.”
Wakefield’s squad was hampered by injuries, with key players such as Ky Rodwell, Cam Scott, Liam Hood, Renouf Atoni, and Seth Nikotemo unavailable. Additionally, Jake Trueman was forced to withdraw late due to illness, and Corey Hall had to leave the game at halftime after battling sickness. Powell admitted that he was unsure whether this issue would affect their upcoming game but hoped the extended turnaround before their clash with St. Helens would allow time for recovery.
Despite these setbacks, the game marked a home debut for Josh Rourke, who stepped up and delivered a solid performance. Powell commended Rourke’s adaptability, noting that he played out of position but still contributed effectively to the team.
“Josh hadn’t played in the center before, but he did an excellent job,” Powell stated. “We have a ‘next man up’ mentality, and I’m incredibly proud of the entire squad.”
Among the standout players, Powell singled out Max Jowitt and Oliver Pratt for special praise. While Jowitt was recognized for his overall performance, Powell was particularly impressed by Pratt’s impact on the field.
“Max was brilliant today, but Oliver Pratt was the best player out there,” he said. “His ability to break through defenses was phenomenal. He scored the try that brought us close, and his performance was truly outstanding.”
Jowitt’s commitment to the club was further solidified as Powell confirmed that the player had recently signed a contract extension, a decision that delighted both the coach and the team.