Wakefield Trinity 2025 season preview
2024 recap
After being relegated from Super League in 2023, Trinity bounced back at the first time of asking, and in some style.
25 wins from 26 games in the regular season meant they finished the top of the Championship, 13 points clear of nearest challengers, Toulouse.
They saw off York in their play-off semi-final with a 22-13 win, before a 36-0 thumping of Toulouse in the Grand Final to secure promotion.
There was also a first Wembley appearance since 1979 for good measure, as Trinity saw off Sheffield Eagles, 50-6, in the 1895 Cup Final.
2024 position: 1st (Championship)
Key signings
Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons), Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons), Cam Scott (Hull FC), Olly Russell (Huddersfield Giants), Corey Hall (Hull KR), Matty Storton (Hull KR), Jake Trueman (Hull FC), Seth Nikotemo (Gold Coast Titans), Josh Rourke (London Broncos), Matty Russell (Warrington Wolves), Jayden Myers (Bradford Bulls)
Key departures
Luke Gale (Retired), Jermaine McGillvary (Retired), Matty Ashurst (Oldham), Josh Bowden (Doncaster), Derrell Olpherts (Featherstone Rovers), Iain Thornley (Oldham), Toby Boothroyd (Featherstone Rovers), Romain Franco (Racing Club Albi XIII), Ethan Wood (Hunslet), Liam Kay (Retired), Will Brough (Leigh Leopards), Luke Bain
Players to watch
Jake Trueman was one of the most promising young halves in Super League at Castleford, but his career’s stalled a little over the past couple of years at Hull FC. On his day though, he’s capable of unlocking any defence in the competition, and at 25 his best years should still be ahead of him.
Tom Johnstone is back with Wakefield after two very strong seasons in Perpignan with Catalans Dragons. The powerful winger scored 37 tries in 46 games during his time in the south of France, and he played in a Grand Final as well. As far as replacements for Jermaine McGillvary go, Trinity couldn’t have done much better.
Young gun
It may be a bit of a stretch to describe a 25 year-old as a young gun, but Josh Rourke certainly falls into the rookie category. The full-back was one of London Broncos’ standout performers in their 2024 Super League campaign, with Rourke’s form earning him another crack in 2025, at Trinity. He’s unlikely to start the year in the starting side, but he’ll surely be ready and waiting if injuries and suspensions open the door for him.
Our prediction – 10th
Trinity have a stronger squad than the one which was relegated in 2023, and although I can’t see them cracking the top six, I can’t see them finishing bottom either.
Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken are two hugely impressive signings from Catalans Dragons, and coach Daryl Powell has plenty of experience in getting the maximum out of an unfancied team.
