DARYL POWELL has hailed his director of rugby Ste Mills for the work done behind the scenes in identifying “unknown” targets and bringing them to Wakefield Trinity.
Four of Trinity’s most impressive forwards since their elevation back into Super League were all plying their trade in the reserves or second-grade competition in Australia before signing for Wakefield.
Isaiah Vagana (New Zealand Warriors’ reserves), Ky Rodwell (Parramatta Eels’ reserves), Caius Faatili (Sunshine Coast Falcons) and Caleb Hamlin-Uele (Newtown Jets) have all made their mark in Super League and all four were relatively unknown to NRL and Super League supporters prior to their moves.
The quartet once more showed their worth in Wakefield’s 23-10 Grand Final win over Warrington Wolves, and Powell gave considerable credit to the man who brought all four to the DIY Kitchens Stadium.
Mills has followed Powell from Castleford Tigers to Warrington and then to Wakefield, where he has built a side capable of shocking the rest of Super League.
And Powell couldn’t be happier with Mills and his recruits.
“We have people here who were effectively playing Championship back in Australia,” Powell said.
“In terms of picking players and how Millsy goes about it regarding analysis, there is no stone left unturned.
“It has really worked out for us. Isaiah, Ky, Caius and Caleb have all had phenomenal years and they are all good guys.
“It’s a real feather in Millsy’s cap in the way he picks players out. There aren’t many he’s got wrong.
“I know he will be super proud of the work he has done and the win.”
