Wakefield have secured another crucial piece of business after securing a contract extension with fullback Scott Grix – but they may be forced to take their hunt for a prop elsewhere after a frustration over negotiations with Pauli Pauli.
Grix was one of Trinity’s standout performers in 2017 having moved across West Yorkshire from Huddersfield, missing only three games as he helped Wakefield to a fifth-placed finish.
The Ireland international already had another year left on his deal with Chris Chester’s side, but the club have acted swiftly to tie him down until the end of the 2019 season.
Grix, signed initially to provide competition for 2016 Albert Goldthorpe Medal Rookie of the Year Max Jowitt, did such a good job for Wakefield that he played 29 of the club’s 32 games in 2017 under Chester.
He is not the only key player Trinity are keen to tie down, either. League Express understands that Wakefield will use the off-season to discuss new deals with more key members of their squad as they plan long-term sustainability both on and off the field.
Meanwhile, Trinity’s front-row hunt had led them to Newcastle prop Pauli, the 23-year-old who had previously spent time with NRL side Parramatta.
However, sources told League Express that Wakefield, despite making the forward an offer to join the club in 2018, are now seriously considering looking elsewhere after growing frustrated over a lack of response from the forward’s representatives.
Trinity may now dip back into the transfer market and look both in the United Kingdom and overseas for a new forward.
League Express revealed last week that they had identified several targets, with Pauli one of them. However, that deal now looks unlikely.
