Wakefield Trinity ace says 'pressure a privilege' as 'hungry' new signings boost top-6 bid
England forward Mike McMeeken reckons Wakefield Trinity are in a privileged position going into Saturday’s league opener at home to promoted Toulouse Olympique.
A year ago Trinity were fresh out of the Championship and tipped for a tough year, but a shock win at Leeds Rhinos got them off to a flying start in Betfred Super League and they went on to confound expectations by finishing sixth and qualifying for the play-offs. This year they don’t have that element of surprise and McMeeken admitted “there could be a bit of external pressure” as they look to push towards the top-four this term.
However, McMeeken insisted: “Pressure is a privilege. You want to have pressure, you don’t want to be one of those teams that don’t have any pressure on you. The boys who were here last year, the younger boys especially, have picked up experience from being involved in high-pressure games and they are only going to get better from that, the likes of Harvey Smith and Oliver Pratt.
“They have really shone in our pre-season and are really looking sharp. Experience is something you can’t teach. They played in last year’s [play-off] quarter-final against Leigh and I am sure they want to be involved in games like that again.”
The signing hooker Tyson Smoothy, who was an NRL Grand Final winner with Brisbane Broncos last year, shows how far Trinity have come since their 2023 relegation season. “That’s what we wanted, to bring in players with experience,” McMeeken added. “We’ve got young players in the squad who bring that real hunger and the good thing is Tyson’s not old either. He’s mid-20s and he brings big NRL experience.
“He is bringing on players in his position around him and helping them improve, but also bringing that bit of edge in the middle as well for us, which we need. You don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but I think he is going to go well for us.”
McMeeken had a shorter pre-season than most of his teammates after playing for England in last autumn’s Ashes Test series against Australia and wasn’t risked in last weekend’s Challenge Cup third round win at Swinton Lions, but will feature against Toulouse. “I got a good rest, managed to get away with the family and recharge my batteries,” he reflected.
“I got drip fed back into pre-season and I am feeling good. I think everyone at this stage will be saying the same so you’ve got to do your talking on the field. I am looking forward to it and I feel refreshed.”
Wakefield Trinity: from Jowitt,Scott, Hall, Trueman, Lino, McMeeken, Smoothy, Nikotemo, Storton, Tevaga, Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili, Smith, Vagana, Walmsley, Sinfield, Rourke, Lolesio, Williams, Tate.
Toulouse Olympique: from Ashall-Bott, Ulberg, Rennie, Laguerre, Lacans, Belmas, Hands, Jussaume, Marion, Cator, Bretherton, Butler, Rodriguez, Tropis, O’Kane, Dupree,Lima, Polselli, Chiffolleau, Garrigues, Rouge.
Referee: James Vella. Kick-off: Saturday, 8pm.