Wakefield sign duo following successful trial period
Photo courtesy of Featherstone Rovers and Dec Hayes
Wakefield have announced the signings of John Davetanivalu and Thomas Minns on one-year deals following a successful trial period.
Davetanivalu and Minns have been training with Trinity on a trial basis for a number of weeks, with both players getting a start at Headingley on Boxing Day.
Minns, 27, had signed with Newcastle Thunder for the 2022 campaign from Featherstone. However, the Championship side granted a release from his contract to join Trinity on a trial.
He featured in the centres for Wakefield on Boxing Day against Leeds. Davetanivalu was named on the wing in the same fixture.
READ MORE: List of pre-season friendlies for 2022
Wakefield head coach Willie Poching on new signings
On his latest additions to the squad, head coach Willie Poching said: “John is with the army but has played a lot of rugby league as a junior, having grown up in this country.
“He was after an opportunity to try his hand at the professional game. We gave him a trial, in which he has excelled to the point where he has earned a contract.
“He knows his position in the squad and knows he has a lot of learning to do. But I’ll give a lot of credit to Tom Johnstone who has taken him under his wing and helped him learn a lot about the game.
“We look forward to seeing John picking more up and flourishing in the next little while.
“As for Minnsy [Minns], I worked with him at Hull KR and he was looking for an opportunity to come back and play in Super League.
“I knew he was hungry as well as knowing of his talent. He’s fitted into the squad really well.
“Again, like John, he’s earned his contract on merit and hopefully he can string a few games together and get some consistency whilst being on the field. Tom is another one who will get an opportunity throughout the year and he could be really invaluable for us.”
Wakefield travel to Halifax this weekend as pre-season continues.
Read: Paul Rowley on who has impressed during pre-season and new half-back partnership
