Salford Red Devils v Wakefield Trinity: Randell makes good early impression on coach Chester

WAKEFIELD TRINITY coach Chris Chester has high hopes for Australian recruit Tyler Randell, who is set to make his debut away to Salford Red Devils tonight.
Chris Chester.Chris Chester.
Chris Chester.

Randell, who turned 25 yesterday, arrived in this country last week after joining Trinity from Newcastle Knights on a two-year contract and has already made a positive impression on his new boss.

“He is looking very good,” said Chester. “He is a good kid to have in the dressing room, he is hardworking and he reminds me a bit of how [Wigan Warriors hooker] Michael McIlorum plays.

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“He is a tough kid, he has got some really good deception out of dummy-half and he looks the part, that’s for sure.

Tyler Randell.Tyler Randell.
Tyler Randell.

“We aren’t expecting miracles off him [tonight], but with Woody [Kyle Wood] out it is good to be able to bring somebody like him in.”

Joe Arundel, Scott Grix and James Hasson could all feature for Trinity after missing the defeat at Castleford two weeks ago. Max Jowitt and Sam Williams drop out.

Trinity are fourth in the Betfred Super-8s and Chester reckons tonight’s game is crucial to their hopes of qualifying for the play-offs.

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“It is massive,” he said. “If we don’t win we will drop to at least fifth because St Helens and Wigan play each other.

Kyle Wood scores against Leeds Rhinos.Kyle Wood scores against Leeds Rhinos.
Kyle Wood scores against Leeds Rhinos.

“We have got to win and we intend going there to win and put in a performance.”

Trinity completed a league double over Salford, but were heavily beaten there in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

“We weren’t great that night, but we played pretty well against them in the league and we will be trying to replicate that,” Chester added. “We have got to make sure we start well and we are looking for a good, solid performance. They are very difficult to beat at home, but we have just got to focus on ourselves and make sure we come away with the result.”

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Michael Dobson and Niall Evalds drop out from the Salford side which lost at Wigan two weeks ago. Ben Murdoch-Masila remains on the casualty list, but Robert Lui, Junior Sa’u, Kris Welham and Jordan Walne could all return.

Tyler Randell.Tyler Randell.
Tyler Randell.

Salford: Bibby, Brining, Carney, Griffin, Hauraki, Johnson, Jones, Kopczak, Krasniqi, Lannon, Lui, McCarthy, O’Brien, Sa’u, Tomkins, Vatuvei, A Walne, J Walne, Welham.

Wakefield: Annakin, Arona, Arundel, Ashurst, Caton-Brown, England, Fifita, Finn, Grix, Hadley, Hasson, Hirst, Huby, Jones-Bishop, Kirmond, Lyne, Miller, Randell, Tupou.

Referee: Phil Bentham (Warrington).

Kick-off: Tonight, 8pm.