Wakefield Trinity receive double boost for Rivals Round while three loan players named
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
Wakefield have received a double boost ahead of their Rivals Round fixture against Castleford as Liam Hood and Renouf Atoni return to Mark Applegarth’s 21-man squad.
The two sides kick-off Rivals Round this Thursday, live on Sky Sports.
Scotland international Hood, 31, missed the side’s Round Seven fixture with St Helens after failing his head injury assessment in the defeat to Salford the week prior.
Prop forward Atoni, 27, also returns having missed last week’s fixture at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Kevin Proctor could also return to action, having made four appearances so far this season.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield trio Sam Hewitt, Innes Senior and Nathan Mason have been included in Wakefield’s 21-man squad for the fixture at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
Mason, 29, became the latest player to make the short-term loan move from the John Smith’s Stadium earlier this week. He is yet to make a Super League appearance in 2023.
Senior, 22, linked up with Applegarth’s squad just last week on loan. He featured on the wing in the 38-0 loss to St Helens.
Forward Hewitt, 23, joined the club earlier in March. He featured against Salford and Hull KR, sent to the sin-bin in the latter during the 34-6 home defeat. He did not feature against Paul Wellens’ side last Friday, serving a one-match ban.
Wakefield squad: Taufua, Lyne, Lino, Battye, Hood, Whitbread, Ashurst, Pitts, Crowther, Kay, Atoni, Kershaw, Proctor, Smith, Langi, Bowes, Eseh, Hewitt, Dagger, Senior, Mason.
Wakefield Trinity boss provides injury latest
Following their defeat at the Totally Wicked Stadium, head coach Applegarth said: “We are looking to bring bodies in, and that’s adding bodies and not taking anyone out.
“We need some experience for the here and now. I said midweek about Corey Hall and Will Dagger, we’ve got to take care of the short-term and that’s to make sure we’re in Super League.
“But with the performance of some of the young players against St Helens, the long-term health of the club is looking positive.
“We’ve got some big names coming back. Liam Hood will be available, as should Kevin Proctor and Renouf Atoni. Josh Bowden and Kelepi Tanginoa are not far off.
“There is some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of experience and strike threat, and hopefully we can add to that too.
“We looked a lot more dangerous with having a recognised full back in the line, I think anyone would agree with that. Innes came up with some try savers. They’ll be better for that hit out.”