Wakefield Trinity bully Warrington Wolves down the middle and get the win
- Super League Raw
- Mar 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 12
Warrington Wolves 16 - 30 Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity maintained their strong start to the season with an authoritative victory over the Warrington Wolves. While many observers may focus on the turmoil surrounding The Wire following recent events in Vegas—marked by rumors, distractions, and sensational headlines—this shift in attention may overshadow the outstanding performance of Trinity, who were nothing short of exceptional on Sunday. Wakefield's formidable strength effectively exposed the vulnerabilities of Warrington, as their middle unit consistently overpowered the Wire forwards, demonstrating dominance throughout the match.
Let's relive tries and talking points:
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The Coaches Post Match Reaction
Sam Burgess
Daryl Powell
Social Media Reaction
Warrington Wolves
I very rarely comment - but that was frustrating.
We were beat in the pack. I am not going to dwell on that - there’s a hundred comments a week saying the packs light. So we all know. So then the question is - why are we still trying to run it up the middle. Granted for one try we made great metres. The rest of the game we were found wanting.
Our right side was not used. In defence they were amazing. In attack they got no service. Why? Tai was wide open a number of times, waving, and he got nothing. Disgraceful waste of talent and pitch.
Ratch. One hell of a servant and I will never disrespect him. Coaching asked too much of him today but he still tried to deliver. As FB he could not keep up with the play and that cost us. But not his fault.
Another shout out though for Danny Walker. Love that lads passion. He was in it every minute. (I am not saying others were not? But just an observation of a player that should be a leader) Craig Lenihan
I really thought under Burgess our pack would be massive and dominant but it’s probably the worst pack we have had for years ! Can’t blame half backs if the forwards are not laying a platform ? And is it just me or is Vaughan the most overrated prop we have ever had ? They called him the enforcer on sky 😂 disappointed again ! Scott Rylance
Terrible performance off the back of Vegas and it’s gonna be a big test for Burgess now. Last year everything went smoothly but some cracks are appearing in the camp and this needs resolving. Warrington Casuals
Wakefield Trinity
Can we play away every week please 😂
Really enjoyed seeing some Warrington supporters leaving early.
Staying in Warrington tonight will be keeping the shirt on.
HAPPY DAYS! George Johnson
Great performance, pack laid a great foundation today , top effort lads ❤️🤍💙👏 Gaz JL
Excellent effort, especially 2nd half where we completed and made fewer errors. We looked really threatening with ball in hand too. Martin Allott
Anyone who says Trinity are in a false division, to them I say belt up! We are no soft touch. Three pretty good performances so far this year and surely more to come. Paul Walton
The Final Word
The Warrington Wolves have continued to struggle at the outset of the season, with their two victories lacking in quality and standards. Reports and videos of players and staff celebrating in Las Vegas following defeats, along with rumours of some missing flights home, have contributed to significant disruption within the team. This situation has fuelled sensationalist media coverage, intensifying scrutiny and pressure on the club. In his post match press conference even Sam Burgess appeared to portray himself as a coach grappling with an crisis in his tenure. With an injury list that includes Dufty (50/50), King, Ashton, Fitzgibbon, Hayes, Yates, and Lindop, one can only imagine the fallout should the Widnes Vikings eliminate them from the Challenge Cup this Saturday.
Regarding the game, the worst fears of Warrington fans seem to be materialising. This season's recruitment has been limited, with only Dan Russell, Oli Leyland, and Alfie Johnson joining the team. Johnson appears to possess the potential to adapt to the league and could become a significant presence for The Wire on the wing in the coming seasons. While Leyland is a promising talent, it was no surprise to see him excluded from this match; during the encounter against Wigan Warriors in Vegas, he demonstrated poor defensive judgment, indicating he may not yet be ready for games of such intensity. As for Russell, his suitability for the second row remains uncertain—his speed may be a concern. Additionally, the pack currently lacks both physicality and depth. With a quota forward in Zane Musgrove not even included in the 18-man squad and Paul Vaughan leaving the field in a lighthearted mood, engaging with opposition players and staff, the overall outlook appears concerning at this time.
The performance of Wakefield Trinity was exceptional and should be the primary focus of discussion following the game. There is much to commend about Trinity this season, particularly their unity and fighting spirit displayed in every match. Success in Rugby League relies on the collective effort of all 17 players, and this synergy has been clearly evident at Trinity this year. While we have highlighted some standout performers in our Super League Trophy scores below, it is important to acknowledge that every member of the Trinity team deserves recognition for their contributions.
Daryl Powell may understandably harbor feelings of retribution. His post-match team address began with a heartfelt "Thank you," reflecting the depth of his emotional investment following his tenure at the Wolves and underscoring the personal significance of this victory for him. During the post-match press conference, when asked about his goals for 2025, Powell indicated that consolidating a position of eighth place after twenty seven rounds would be a commendable achievement.
We have observed teams like Hull KR and Leigh Leopards return to Super League, better equipped to compete with the best and emerge as genuine contenders for silverware. Wakefield Trinity seems poised to follow suit, garnering admiration throughout the sport—though perhaps not from Castleford! Nevertheless, they remain undeterred. Keep pushing forward, Trinity; you are a refreshing addition to the league!
The Gladiators who took the Field
Warrington Wolves
23 Cai Taylor-Wray
2 Josh Thewlis
33 Arron Lindop
4 Rodrick Tai
31 Alfie Johnson (D)
6 George Williams
19 Stefan Ratchford
8 James Harrison
9 Danny Walker
10 Paul Vaughan
11 Ben Currie
26 Dan Russell
13 Luke Yates
Interchange
14 Sam Powell
15 Joe Philbin
17 Jordy Crowther
21 Adam Holroyd
Try Scorer: Lindop (3), Johnson (25), Josh Thewlis (65)
Tale of the Boot: Josh Thewlis 2/3
Wakefield Trinity
1 Max Jowitt
24 Matty Russell
19 Oliver Pratt
4 Corey Hall
5 Tom Johnstone
6 Jake Trueman
20 Mason Lino
17 Matty Storton
9 Liam Hood
15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele
18 Isaiah Vagana
25 Jack Croft
8 Mike McMeeken
Interchange
16 Renouf Atoni
21 Mathieu Cozza
28 Harvey Smith
31 Caius Faatili
Try Scorers: Croft (18), Hood (28), M Russell (46), Storton (54), Hamlin-Uele (60)
Tale of the Boot: Jowitt 5/5
HOW IT WENT DOWN: 4-0, 4-6, 10-6, 10-12; 10-18, 10-24, 10-30, 16-30
Man of the Match - The Super League Raw Trophy
3pts - Mike McMeeken
2pts - Liam Hood
1pt - Matty Storton
Half-time: 10-12
Referee: Marcus Griffiths
Attendance: 10,024
Key Performance Indicators:
Most Tackles – Sam Powell - 37
Top Tackle Busts – Corey Hall, Oliver Pratt, Matty Russell - 5
Most Carries – George Williams, Mike McMeeken - 20
Most Metres/Hard Metres - Mike McMeeken - 170
Most Offloads - George Williams - 5
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