Sky Sports pundit warns ‘tough conversations’ to come at Wakefield following relegation defeat
Wakefield players dejected after their relegation was confirmed - Alamy
Hull legend Paul Cooke has warned that Wakefield Trinity face some ‘tough conversations’ after confirmation of their relegation from Super League.
Mark Applegarth’s side suffered a heartbreaking golden point defeat to Leigh that confirmed their drop from the top division, with promotion and relegation set to be scrapped next year under new guidelines from sports giant IMG.
Instead a grading system will determine places from 2025, but Wakefield will play their next campaign in the Championship with one regular season game left this year.
Gareth O’Brien’s late extra-time drop-goal secured Leigh’s spot in the top six, while the 31-year-old relegated his second side after ensuring safety for Salford back in 2016 against Hull KR in the Million Pound Game.
Trinity have had several close calls in the Super League era, including the 2015 showdown that saw Bradford relegated, with the Belle Vue side finally succumbing to the same fate.
Applegarth faces some tough decisions ahead after just his debut season as a head coach, with their central distribution set to be reduced which will ultimately impact their playing budget.
Speaking on Sky Sports, former England representative Cooke has warned players and staff of ‘tough’ conversations to follow.
Paul Cooke: Let’s hope it’s just a brief stint outside of Super League
He said: “I finished my career at Wakefield and spent six months there. There’s some wonderful people there.
“There’s going to be some really tough conversations.
“I was involved at Leigh in Super League when they were relegated in 2017 and it’s not easy for the players or the staff or anybody at the club to have those conversations.
“Let’s hope it’s just a brief stint outside of Super League and they can get their act together.
“With the new stand and off the field, they certainly look like they’re heading in the right direction, just the wrong direction in terms of the elite competition.”
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