Wakefield Trinity: Return dates for Tom Johnstone and David Fifita

Wakefield coach Willie Poching says he hopes to have key duo Tom Johnstone and David Fifita back for this weekend’s game against Hull KR. 

It was an Easter period to forget for Wakefield, having lost 34-4 to rivals Castleford on Thursday and 54-10 at Wigan on Monday.

But the good news for Wakefield is that winger Johnstone and prop Fifita should be fit to face Hull KR on Saturday, along with Tinirau Arona.

Asked who could come back for Saturday, Poching said: “We’re hoping Dave Fifita and Tom Johnstone and Ti Arona.

“There were a couple that we rested and a couple that this game came too soon for. We had Jai Whitbread and Jordy Crowther and Harry Bowes (out) so there will be a few in the hat that we can throw into selection.”

Poching admitted his side’s defence was poor as they let in nine tries against Wigan.

He said: “Defensively, we were way off today. We tried to address some of that at half-time, but we didn’t quite get a stronghold on what we wanted to do at the start of that second half.

“They were doing quick offloads, and by play three they were on halfway. They had the ascendency for a while.”

Jai Field is a freak, says Wakefield Trinity coach

Poching praised Wigan full-back Jai Field after the game, with the Australian speedster scoring two more tries.

Poching said: “He is a freak. Speed kills, I said that last week.

“He doesn’t need a lot of space or a lot of room. We tried to do our homework on them. He’s scored a long-ranged try against nearly everyone he has come up against this year.

“He’s a fantastic player, and he’s got something you can’t coach. You double that up with Bevan French, then it’s a one two punch. That’s how they scored their first try.”

PLAY: Our free Fantasy Rugby League competition is back for 2022