WAKEFIELD are now standing tall and proud, after two excellent years under the ownership of Matt Ellis and coaching of Daryl Powell.

From the low of relegation to the Championship, Trinity won three trophies as a second-tier club and followed it up with a sixth-placed finish last season.

While a first Super League play-off appearance since 2012 turned sour with a meek eliminator defeat to another of the game’s rising clubs in Leigh, they will next look to establish themselves as consistent high performers.

As well as the wise investments being made in both their stadium and youth infrastructure, that will also require continued improvement to the squad.

To that end, Wakefield have brought in Tyson Smoothy – a member of Brisbane’s NRL Grand Final-winning side – at hooker and Samoa international Jazz Tevaga to play loose-forward.

But their main priority remains the addition of younger players, as evidenced in particular by the signing of Jack Sinfield from Leeds, while older heads like Liam Hood, Josh Griffin and Matty Russell have been moved on.

Powell created a team at Castleford capable of reaching multiple major finals, and he has all the raw ingredients to do the same for their rivals.

One to watch

It’s not often a 26-year-old, fresh from winning the NRL, joins Super League so Tyson Smoothy’s move to Wakefield is a real coup. 

It will be intriguing to see how he is used alongside fellow new boy Jazz Tevaga, with both capable of playing at either hooker or loose-forward. 

With a solid set of props led by Mike McMeeken and complemented by Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Caius Faatili and, following an injury-hit season, Ky Rodwell, their pack could be among the best.

Talking tactics with Jodie Cunningham

2025 was a resurgent year for Wakefield Trinity, marking their return to Super League with play-off qualification and some impressive wins en-route. 

Wakefield’s forward pack was outstanding last year and with the addition of Samoan forward Jazz Tevaga and young prop Tray Lolesio, the Trinity pack won’t be taking a backwards step in 2026. 

The quick rucks and late retreating defence created by their middles will cause problems for all teams’ defence with Mason Lino and Jake Truman being experts at taking advantage of the wide ‘A defenders’ – the first defender in the defensive line either side of the ruck – and Max Jowitt’s top class support play often converting breaks into points for Daryl Powell’s side. 

Potential milestones

Tom Johnstone needs 2 appearances for 200 in his career
Max Jowitt needs 70 points for 1,000 for Wakefield
Mason Lino needs 38 points for 500 for Wakefield

Squad: 1 Max Jowitt, 2 Oliver Pratt, 3 Cam Scott, 4 Corey Hall, 5 Tom Johnstone, 6 Jake Trueman, 7 Mason Lino, 8 Mike McMeeken, 9 Tyson Smoothy, 10 Ky Rodwell, 11 Seth Nikotemo, 12 Matty Storton, 13 Jazz Tevaga, 14 Jay Pitts, 15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele, 16 Caius Faatili, 17 Harvey Smith, 18 Isaiah Vagana, 19 Lachlan Walmsley, 20 Jack Sinfield, 21 Jayden Myers, 22 Thomas Doyle, 23 Josh Rourke, 24 Tray Lolesio, 25 Jordan Williams, 27 Myles Lawford, 28 Noah High, 29 Ellis Lingard, 30 Neil Tchamambe, 31 Kian McGann, 32 Will Tate

Ins: Tyson Smoothy (Brisbane), Jazz Tevaga (Manly), Tray Lolesio (Redcliffe), Jordan Williams (Featherstone), Kian McGann (St Helens), Will Tate (Castleford), Jack Sinfield (Leeds)

Outs: Josh Griffin (York), Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood (both Castleford), Mathieu Cozza, Oliver Russell (both Huddersfield), Jack Croft (London), Matty Russell (Oldham), Neil Tchamambe (London, loan), Myles Lawford (Halifax, loan)

RLW predicts: 7th

First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 517 (February 2026)