Chris Chester calls for ‘more of the same’ from Wakefield Trinity against Hull KR

BOSS CHRIS Chester reckons Wakefield Trinity have answered their critics, but admits the important thing now is doing it again.
Wakefield Trinity's Tom Johnstone tackled by Huddersfield Giants' Leroy Cudjoe, left, and Sam Wood on Thursday night. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.Wakefield Trinity's Tom Johnstone tackled by Huddersfield Giants' Leroy Cudjoe, left, and Sam Wood on Thursday night. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Wakefield Trinity's Tom Johnstone tackled by Huddersfield Giants' Leroy Cudjoe, left, and Sam Wood on Thursday night. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Trinity picked up their first win since March – ending a run of 10 successive defeats – when they beat Huddersfield Giants 18-14 two days ago.

That came days after a national newspaper alleged Chester was facing a “dressing room revolt” and quoted an anonymous source questioning the coach’s methods.

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Trinity responded with a gutsy effort culminating in a winning try inside the final five minutes, soon after they had a touchdown controversially disallowed.

Wakefield Trinity head coach Chris Chester. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.Wakefield Trinity head coach Chris Chester. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Wakefield Trinity head coach Chris Chester. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Chester is adamant he has his players’ support and insisted Thursday’s performance was proof of what they are capable of when they get their game together.

He said: “We know those kind of comments haven’t come from within the dressing room itself.

“There is so much fight in this team and determination and effort.

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“You could see that in the last seven minutes when we didn’t get that call, but still came up with a couple of big plays defensively which effectively won us the game. It is nice to finally get the monkey off our backs, but we want more of the same.”

Huddersfield Giants' Sam Wood is tackled by Wakefield Trinity's Max Jowitt short of the try-line on Thursday night. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.Huddersfield Giants' Sam Wood is tackled by Wakefield Trinity's Max Jowitt short of the try-line on Thursday night. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Huddersfield Giants' Sam Wood is tackled by Wakefield Trinity's Max Jowitt short of the try-line on Thursday night. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Trinity are bottom of Betfred Super League, level with Rovers on points and win percentage, but below them on for and against.

Avoiding the wooden spoon is all both clubs have left to play for and Chester stressed it is vital they achieve that, to give the squad and club something to build on going into the off-season.

“It is really important we get something out of the season and don’t finish bottom,” Chester said.

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“The efforts on Thursday won’t mean a great deal if we can’t put in another good performance against Hull KR.”

Wakefield lost to Chester’s old club in round one, back in January and the coach knows Rovers can be a threat with ball in hand.

They were beaten 38-24 by Castleford Tigers on Thursday, but hit back strongly after going 24-0 behind in the opening quarter.

Chester said: “They are a team that like to play touch and pass footy and the ball is never dead. They move the ball around and we need another good defensive performance.

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“I thought we were good defensively on Thursday for large parts and we did a really good job on their individuals.”

Bill Tupou is available after injury so young centre Jack Croft drops out from the team which beat Giants and Chester said there will be some “some fresh bodies” in tomorrow’s side.

“To back up after such an intense game and tough travel there and back, it is important we’ve got some freshness about us,” Chester said. “I am looking forward to seeing people like Brad Walker play. We left Chris Green on the sideline on Thursday and we’ve got Innes Senior to come in and Alex Walker.

“There’s a few who are going to add a bit of freshness to the team and we are going to need it with games coming thick and fast. It is crazy times, but we will use the whole squad. We’ll give everybody who’s fit a run out.”

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Trinity have two games against Leeds Rhinos next week, at St Helens on Thursday and Mobile Rocket Stadium three days later.

Rovers coach Tony Smith is self-isolating so his assistant David Hodgson will be in charge of the team tomorrow.

Harvey Livett, Dan Murray, Jamie Ellis, Ryan Brierley, Nathaniel Peteru, Will Tate and ex-Wakefield forward Kyle Trout could all come into the side.

Matt Parcell, Weller Hauraki and Kane Linnett drop out from the team which lost to Castleford.

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Wakefield Trinity: from A Walker, Johnstone, Tupou, Lyne, Jones-Bishop, Miller, Fifita, K Wood, Arona, Ashurst, Batchelor, Green, Tangata, Crowther, Jowitt, B Walker, Hampshire, Aydin, Tanginoa, Senior, Battye.

Hull KR: from Crooks, Kenny-Dowall, Abdull, Mulhern, Livett, Hadley, Lawler, Murray, Trout, Dagger, Lewis, Rawsthorne, Gee, Maher, Minchella, Ellis, Brierley, Peteru, Tate, Milnes, King.

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas (Leigh).

Kick-off: Tomorrow, 2pm.

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