Catalans Dragons v Wakefield Trinity: Daryl Powell urges high-fliers to embrace growing expectations

Trinity reached the play-offs in 2004, 2009 and 2012 but struggled to convince they were a genuine threat to Super League's established order.

It took relegation to the Championship and the arrival of ambitious owner Matt Ellis to bring about a sea change at Belle Vue.

Wakefield ended their long wait for post-season rugby in their first season back at the top level last year but were not satisfied with sneaking in at the death.

The club raised the bar in the off-season and are well on track to achieve their goal of a first top-four finish in Super League.

But with the League Leaders' Shield now within reach, the sky is the limit for Daryl Powell's side.

It is precisely the mindset Powell was brought in to instil when he took charge at the end of 2023: Wakefield should not simply aspire to compete at the top level but truly believe they can challenge for honours.

"We said right from the start that we're changing the way we think as a team and a club," reflected the Trinity boss.

"You've only got to look around this place. You go in the cafe, the shop or sit in the stand, wherever you look it's changed. That's credit to Matt and his family.

"On the field, Matt charged me with getting us to a place where we feel we can challenge to win things. Are we the finished article? I don't think we are but we're a pretty decent way down the track on growing standards and belief that we can do a great job no matter who we play against.

"There are some big challenges over the next seven weeks but we're enjoying all these challenges and getting after them.

"If we keep working hard, it is a great opportunity. We've got to be good enough to take it."

Wakefield face Catalans Dragons in Perpignan this weekend before home games against Leeds Rhinos and St Helens. They finish with trips to Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards either side of Belle Vue dates with York Knights and Warrington Wolves.

The prize at the end of it could be a top-two finish and the advantages that would bring in the play-offs.

"If we get through this period and are still in second, it'd be an unbelievable achievement," said Powell, who can call on Jack Sinfield this week following his recovery from a delayed concussion that he suffered at Magic Weekend and has sidelined him for three weeks.

"It's a great opportunity for us to go head-first into Catalans and Leeds. They're the next two in our block before we go into the final five games.

"We should be feeling confident about ourselves but we're not getting ahead of ourselves either. The boys are saying and doing all the right things.

"The beauty of a long season is that it ebbs and flows. You've got to hold your nerve, work hard and battle through a bit of adversity."

Wakefield's form will be tested in the heat and hostility of Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Trinity are protecting a six-match winning run but must negotiate a different kind of test in the south of France despite Catalans' unconvincing form.

"All sorts of things," replied Powell when asked about the challenges awaiting his team.

"There's the weather, the parochial environment and they're a big, physical team under a new coach (John Cartwright). One of the biggest ones is a change in style, with and without the ball.

"The biggest thing is making sure we're mentally tuned in. We're on a decent run of form and need to stay focused on what we've been doing and not drift from that.

"I think we're doing really well at dealing with all sorts of different challenges at the moment. Last week, we had a bloke sent off and managed a pretty stiff one really well.

"This one is about managing travel, energy and staying in a hotel. We've been to Toulouse already this year so have had experience as a group. Hopefully we'll handle it well again."

Three years ago, Wakefield often wondered where their next win would come from.

Now their supporters are crossing the Channel in their numbers, no longer in hope but with a sense of anticipation.

That growing expectation is welcomed by Powell, who sees it as another sign of how far Wakefield have come.

"It's away as well but every time we play here, the crowd, the atmosphere, fireworks, buzz and 'Stand up if you love the Trin', it's just great to see a group of fans who really believe in the club, what it's doing and where it's heading," he said.

"All those things give us all a great deal of pleasure. That's part of the drive – to be the best we can be for everybody involved at the club.

"We're all connected and enjoying the journey."