Josh Griffin exclusive: Wakefield Trinity recruit wants to ‘prove a few people wrong’ as he opens up on whirlwind two months

Josh Griffin admits he returns to rugby league on Friday night determined to ‘prove a few people wrong’ after a whirlwind two months in his career.

Griffin is expected to make what would be his third debut for Wakefield Trinity in their huge relegation showdown with Castleford Tigers, almost two months to the day since he was sent off in what proved to be his final Hull FC appearance.

Since then, he has served a seven-match ban and left Hull to return to Wakefield.

The 33-year-old has lifted the lid on his exit from the Black and Whites, saying he felt ‘disrespected’ after revealing he didn’t get the chance to say his farewells before leaving the club. But he now wants to look forward and help try keep Wakefield in Super League.

“I want to get back on the field playing with a smile on my face, first and foremost,” he told Love Rugby League. “But I want to prove a few people wrong.

“I want to get out there playing and get back to the form I was showing pre-ban. I’m excited for the challenge.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for the club but I’m massively disappointed with how it ended,” he continued.

“I felt disrespected in some terms, about how I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to people for example.

“I was at Hull at a long time and really enjoyed it, but it was one man’s opinion in the end. I loved my time at Hull and I wish them well for the rest of the season but the past is the past now.”

Griffin also admitted that the last two months have changed his view of the sport.

“It’s opened my eyes a little bit in terms of rugby league, and how quickly it can move forwards,” he said.

“The fallout from the ban, the consequences of me having to leave Hull and joining Wakefield and not being able to play for a few weeks – but in hindsight I’ve got a new contract, I’m with a team where I can help them accomplish something huge. So it’s worked out.”

Josh Griffin ‘determined’ to help Wakefield Trinity secure their Super League status

Griffin will be thrown into Wakefield’s biggest game of the season on Friday night, as Trinity look to take a huge step towards Super League survival with victory over local rivals Castleford.

He played down the talk in some quarters about the game being season-defining, but admitted he is highly motivated after returning to the club where his career began, having signed a contract until the end of next season.

“It’s an exciting game to come back for,” he insists. “I’ve got enough experience to help the team in a situation like this one but we’ve still got another five games after this one. I think people are making it out to be a bit bigger than what it is.

“Of course it’s important, but we understand there’s nothing more than two points on the line. But I’m excited, it’s given me a real new impetus, it’s been good to have a change of scenery with a good group of lads.

“I started here, I grew up here and it’s a club that’s really close to my heart,” he admits.

“You do hear players say that a lot but I mean that – I don’t want to see this club playing in the Championship and I’m determined to help keep them up.”

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