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New-look Wakefield Wildcats are feeling good - Washbrook INTERVIEW
Danny Washbrook in match action.
WE can hit the ground running. That’s the message from loose-forward Danny Washbrook as the clock kicks down to new-look Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ Stobart Super League kick-off.
Wildcats – who begin away to newly-promoted Widnes Vikings on Friday – have 17 off-season recruits in their squad this year, including the first 14 in their squad number list.
It is a massive task for coach Richard Agar, also a new arrival at Wakefield, to get his side to function as a team from the off, but Washbrook reckons it can be done.
“I don’t see why we can’t gel straight away,” he insisted. “We have done a lot of training together and everyone knows the way we want to play.
“It make take a couple of games, but that’s what friendlies are for. We’ve had some good run-outs in the friendlies so hopefully we can gel from round one.”
Tough
After Friday Wildcats have successive home games against Hull KR and Bradford Bulls, before a tough March which sees them face Hull (away), Huddersfield Giants (home), Warrington Wolves (away), Catalan Dragons (home) and London Broncos (away).
Washbrook admitted getting points under their belt early would give Wildcats a major confidence boost.
“Widnes are sort of in the same situation as us,” he observed. “They have built a completely new team so it will be an interesting start.
“They will be wanting to make an impression on Super League having come back up and we want to make an impression as well.
“In Super League it is not how you start, it’s how you finish, but obviously the more points you can get on the board the better.
“If you win your first game that’s two points straight away and we are going all out to pick up as many as we can.”
According to Washbrook, Wildcats’ pre-season, including a week-long training camp in the south of France, went “really well”.
He added: “The game against Catalan was disappointing after a good week, but we got back on track the week after against Castleford. Now we’re really looking forward to Friday night.”
Washbrook played under Agar as Hull, where he made 122 Super League appearances from 2005-11.
“I am enjoying it, coming to a new club is a bit daunting at first, but all the lads are really good and I am getting along really well with everyone,” he said of his change of clubs.
“Richard being here did help. I was speaking to Wakefield before it got announced that Richard was coming in and that just helped it along.
“I spoke with Rich and he sold it really well to me. I did feel it was time for a change.
Gear
“I was a bit set in my ways at Hull and I felt like I needed a bit of a change just to get me into gear.
“Wakefield is rebuilding and it’s a good challenge. I don’t know what’s gone on before, we are just looking to do what we can this year.
“But it is good to be part of a club that’s making a new start.”
Meanwhile, Wildcats picked up three injuries during their defeat at Batley Bulldogs in their final pre-season game two days ago.
Agar said: “Kyle Trout got a bang on his shoulder. He has had X-rays and been cleared of any major damage, but it is sore.
“It’s a short turn-around from Sunday to Friday and it’ll probably be Thursday before we know whether he’s right or not.”
Agar added: “Frankie Mariano had X-rays on his thumb and there’s no break, it’s just bruised.
“Lucas Walshaw got a shoulder injury and that’s going to need further tests.”
Despite the defeat suffered by a Wildcats team made up of fringe players and under-20s, Agar was happy with the work-out.
“It probably took our guys a bit by surprise how physical and enthusiastic Batley came out,” he said. “It took us a while to warm into it and playing up hill gave us a really stern defensive test in difficult conditions against a very robust team.
“It was a great learning experience for some of our younger players and the guys who needed it got a bit more game time under their belt.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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