Belief and culture at the heart of Wakefield Trinity's upsurge

IN ALL of his seven seasons at Wakefield Trinity, captain Danny Kirmond can never recall a time when the club sailed as high as fourth place.
Danny Kirmond thanks the fans at Magic Weekend (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)Danny Kirmond thanks the fans at Magic Weekend (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)
Danny Kirmond thanks the fans at Magic Weekend (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

Ordinarily, it has been a battle at the other end of the Super League table but, on the back of a six-game winning run, they have now broken into that upper echelon.

Neighbours and fierce rivals Castleford Tigers may be dominating headlines as the competition’s surprise leaders but Wakefield’s narrative – they came from 20-0 behind to win 42-30 at champions Wigan Warriors on Monday – is just as fascinating.

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Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Kirmond admitted: “I can’t remember being this far up, not at this stage of the season anyway.

Danny Kirmond & Jacob Miller celebrate victory over Widnes (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)Danny Kirmond & Jacob Miller celebrate victory over Widnes (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)
Danny Kirmond & Jacob Miller celebrate victory over Widnes (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

“Maybe after the first one or two rounds we have but never like this.

“It’s great, though, and good recognition for the hard work that has gone into the club from not just the players but also (chairman) Michael (Carter) and everyone else involved.

“It shows we’re moving in the right direction. Hopefully everything else off the field can fall into place now, too, and we can get the new ground sorted.

“That, I think, has been the only thing holding us back.

Danny Kirmond & Jacob Miller celebrate victory over Widnes (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)Danny Kirmond & Jacob Miller celebrate victory over Widnes (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)
Danny Kirmond & Jacob Miller celebrate victory over Widnes (Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)
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“We’re the only professional sports club in the city and it’s such a shame we don‘t have a venue that excites people to come watch us.

Belle Vue creates a great atmosphere and it’s a great old ground but it’s not viable to renovate it so we need a new stadium.

“All the people who can make it happen are talking now, though, and we’re hearing positive noises so let’s hope we can see it come to fruition.”

Trinity, of course, finished eighth last season which was a feat in itself having been in the Million Pound Game the year before.

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But what has been the catalyst to see Chris Chester’s side, seeking a seventh-straight win, march further this time around?

Second-row Kirmond said: “I think the mentality has changed a little bit.

“Everyone in the squad believes in what we’re doing and the culture we have here.

“It’s a great group of lads. I know we say that every year at Wakefield but it is really important.

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“Yes, the ground and facilities are not the best but we always have great camaraderie and within that we all want to work really hard.

“The coaching staff have bought into it, too. They are quite laid-back but also know when we need to be worked hard and there’s a lot of belief in each other which was not always the case last year.

“If we’d have gone 20 points down then we’d have been expecting to be beaten by 60 but on Monday we always believed we could get back in that match.

“It was probably the best result I’ve tasted since I’ve been at the club to do what we did over there against a side like Wigan. It was really memorable.”

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Of course, arguably the most incredulous tale of all those occurring in this Super League season is Salford Red Devils – on the verge of relegation last season 
before their Million Pound Game heroics – are up as high as second.

They host Wakefield on Sunday in a top-four battle that few could ever have imagined occurring in 2017.

Kirmond, 31, admitted: “They’ve done a great job. Salford have some really big, physical players who take a lot of holding while they have some very good half-backs, too.

“Todd Carney’s been coming off the bench for them and sometimes he doesn’t play at all so it shows how good their halves are.

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“Salford are similar to us really; they’re playing some really good football and have some outside backs playing really well too so it should make for an exciting game.

“We had one before earlier this season that went right down to the wire in our favour and 
hopefully the same happens Sunday.”

Having just passed the halfway mark, all eyes will be on Wakefield now to see if they can maintain their form and secure a top-four spot come the end of 30 rounds.

Their previous Super League best was fifth in 2009

They will be severely tested tonight with the loss of three key players in half-back Jacob Miller (six to 12 weeks, broken leg), Tinirau Arona (five weeks, hamstring) and new signing Adam Walker (two months, knee).

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Arona – who has extended his contract until 2018 – is an ever-present this year while Miller has missed just one match.

“With Milky (Miller) we’re looking a minimum of six weeks,” said Wakefield coach Chris Chester.

“We need to get the scan results back to see if there is any damage around the ankle.

“Adam Walker has a medial rupture which potentially is eight to 10 weeks and we’ve lost Tinirau Arona for about five weeks with a hamstring tear.”