Pitch controversy continues as Wakefield prepare to take on Hull KR

Wakefield Trinity are still on the hunt for their first victory of the season, but will they secure their first two points against Hull KR?

Ahead of Friday’s clash, the headlines have again been dominated by chatter around the Wakefield pitch. The club’s new hybrid pitch has caused quite a stir this season, and prompted another RFL pitch inspection this week.

On the pitch, there hasn’t been a lot to shout about for the Belle Vue faithful this season. Trinity have lost all five of their matches this season, and were unable to score any points in three of these.

Whilst this looks awful on paper, Mark Applegarth’s men have faced five of last seasons top six, in the form of Catalans, Wigan, Huddersfield, Leeds and Salford.

This is an incredibly tough run of fixtures to kick off a season, but they are really putting in the effort in these, especially in defence. They easily could have left the AJ Bell last week with a draw if it wasn’t for the boot of Mark Sneyd.

Wakefield will take plenty of positives from their performance against Salford, and this will set them in good stead to challenge Hull KR on Friday.

Hull KR have hit turbulence in recent games. Their season started with great promise, as they dispatched Wigan and Salford in the opening two rounds, but come into Friday’s game off the back of three straight defeats. The Robins will be looking to bounce back at the Be Well Support Stadium.

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Will Peter’s side have adopted a strong kicking game so far this season, which could really cause damage to Wakefield on Friday night. Trinity have really struggled defending kicks, and Hull KR should look to expose this weakness if they want to get over their slump.

It will be interesting to see how this works without Jordan Abdul, who’s pinpoint accuracy with the boot has been influential for the Robins.

In team news, Wakefield have named a young 21-man-squad to take on Hull FC, which features the likes of Sam Esah and Harry Bowes. They are in the midst of an injury crisis, especially in the backline, so have had to use the full depth of the squad. They have selected new loan signing Tom Forber in the team, alongside fellow loanee Sam Hewitt, who made his debut last week. Mason Lino, Renouf Atoni and Samisoni Langi are also named.

Willie Peters has also named his 21-man-squad for their visit to the Be Well Support Stadium. Ethan Ryan, Matt Parcell, Kane Linnett and Matty Storton are all named in the squad this week. The Robins will be without star half-back Jordan Abdul, Frankie Halton and Dean Hadley after all three failed HIAs against Catalans, prompting the first ever use of the 18th man in Super League. The Robins have named an exciting looking backline that could feature Ryan Hall, Tom Opacic and Lachlan Coote.

21-man-squads:

Wakefield Trinity: 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Corey Hill, 4. Reece Lyne, 7. Mason Lino, 8. Eddie Battye, 10. Jai Whitbread, 11. Matty Ashurst, 13. Jay Pitts, 14. Jordy Crowther, 15. Liam Kay, 17. Renouf Atoni, 18. Lee Kershaw, 20. Morgan Smith, 21. Samisoni Langi, 22. Rob Butler, 24. Harry Bowes, 25. Sam Esah, 27. Robbie Butterworth, 30. Oliver Pratt, Sam Hewitt, Tom Forber

Hull KR: 1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Ethan Ryan, 3. Tom Opacic, 5. Ryan Hall, 8. Sauaso Sue, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. George King, 12. Kane Linnett, 13. Elliot Minchella, 14. Jez Litten, 15. Rhys Kennedy, 16. James Batchelor, 17. Matty Storton, 20. Mikey Lewis, 21. Rowan Milnes, 23. Louis Senior, 24. Sam Wood, 25. Luis Johnson, 26. Sam Luckley, 27. Yusuf Aydin, 29. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e