Wakefield Trinity v Catalans Dragons - Chris Chester backs 'world class' Bill Tupou to keep Israel Folau quiet

Israel Folau will be a major threat for Catalans in Saturday's game after a sparkling performance in their 40-14 win over Castleford Tigers a week earlier.

Questioned how Trinity will prevent the controversial Aussie wreaking similar havoc in the behind closed doors fixture at St Helens, Chester admitted: “With a great deal of difficulty.”

But he insisted: “I think we’ve got a world-class centre on our left edge up against him.

“If I was Israel Folau I’d probably be looking at Bill Tupou and asking the same questions - what am I going to be able to do against him?

“There’s no doubting what a fantastic player he is - he is unbelievable in the air, he looks like he has gained a yard or two of pace over these last 15 weeks and he is a special talent.

“But I just think looking at the squad of players they have coming back this week - people like Sam Tomkins and Michael McIllorum - it is going to be a real test for our guys this week.

“They are a big physical pack and they have one way of going - they try and come up through the middle of teams and I expect them to try and do that against us.”

But Trinity who were pipped 23-22 by Wigan Warriors six days ago, are in confident mood, according to Chester.

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to,” he stressed.

“We know it’s going to be just as physical as last week, but we know we have to play for the full 80 minutes and not the 60 like we did against Wigan.”

Former Catalans full-back Tony Gigot will make his second appearance for Trinity and has provided some inside information on the opposition.

“We’ve had a good chat about them and Tony obviously had his input on Catalans and on what their strengths are and indicated to us what, in the past, they have tried to do to us and what they achieved,” Chester confirmed.

“But he also gave us some tips on what their deficiencies are.”

Trinity had been preparing to play St Helens, but the fixture was changed in a reshuffle after the positive coronavirus tests at Hull FC.

Chester admitted that was “not ideal”, but said: “The game is more important and you have to get on with it.

“Castleford, Catalans and Saints are all in the same boat as us and it’s crazy times at the minute.”

Wakefield are without star winger Tom Johnstone who suffered an arm injury last week and Max Jowitt also drops out from the 17 who lost to Wigan.

Matty Ashurst, Joe Westerman, Jordan Crowther, Jack Croft. Lee Kershaw and Ryan Hampshire are all included in the initial 21, having not played last week.

Catalans will have Sam Tomkins back after suspension and McIlorum is available following injury.

David Mead and Antoni Maria are also added to the side on duty last Saturday.

Wakefield Trinity: from Tupou, Lyne, Miller, Fifita, K Wood, Arona, Ashurst, Kirmond, Westerman, Pitts, Kopczak, Tangata, Crowther, J Wood, Croft, Kershaw, Hampshire, Tanginoa, Navarrete, Kay, Gigot.

Catalans Dragons: from Mead, Langi, Folau, Yaha, Maloney, Drinkwater, Casty, McIlorum, Moa, Whitley, J Tomkins, Garcia, Bousquet, Davies, Jullien, Da Costa, Maria, Baitieri, Mourgue, Kasiano, S Tomkins.

Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield).

Kick-off: Saturday, 4.15pm.

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