Jay Pitts' poker face as Wakefield Trinity future takes unexpected turn

The Wakefield Trinity veteran was talking up the importance of finishing the regular season strongly when he spoke after Saturday's win over York Knights.

At the time, Pitts was under contract for 2027 and there was no reason to think otherwise.

By the following day, however, the picture had changed dramatically.

The 36-year-old featured alongside Mason Lino and Lachlan Walmsley among Wakefield's confirmed departures, standing out as a player who still had time left on his deal.

Not only that, he was due to join the club's youth set-up as a coach once his contract expired.

There was, however, a glimpse of emotion behind the poker face that offered no hint of what was to come. His 450th career appearance prompted a rare moment of reflection.

"I was talking to my wife in the car on the way up about when I came back here from London," said the forward, who rejoined Trinity in 2020. "I thought I'd do a couple of years and be done.

"But the way the club have gone and the enjoyment I've had because of the club have made me keep going.

"Fortunately for me, I've enjoyed my rugby more towards the back end of my career. That's down to the club and the staff.

"I'm loving my time here. I think it's brought the best out of me."

There was another telling remark when the conversation turned to the possibility of joining the 500 club.

Pitts refused to look that far ahead but made clear his appetite for playing was not waning.

"That's a big ask," he said with a smile.

"It's the old cliche but I'll take every week as it comes and see where I get to. I'm enjoying my rugby right now."

Whether Pitts plays on beyond this season remains to be seen. On Saturday, his focus was firmly on the closing weeks of another positive campaign for Wakefield.

The old warhorse made his return from injury against York and produced a typically industrious performance to help his side end a three-game losing streak.

On a night when he brought up another career milestone, the result trumped everything else.

"One hundred per cent," said Pitts.

"In the last few weeks, we've had a few injuries where we've had to move a lot of people around and adjust to adversity. We were able to keep key players on the field in this game.

"Fair play to York. They're a really good team and made us work hard for the win. We're really glad that we came out the other end.

"Warrington is another step up and we know we need to be better. Hopefully we'll get a couple more players back to strengthen us up a bit."

The timely victory confirmed Wakefield's play-off place with two games to spare, a notable achievement for a side in the Championship as recently as 2024.

Trinity are a club reborn under the stewardship of ambitious owner Matt Ellis and have now established themselves as a top-six team after building on last year's long-awaited post-season appearance.

Daryl Powell's men are not done yet as they close in on fourth spot and a home tie.

"What we're striving to do is be a team up there competing for everything," said Pitts.

"We've got some real belief inside the group. We want to be challenging for trophies.

"The last few weeks haven't been great but you're always going to have ups and downs in a season.

"We've got a great opportunity to try and get a home quarter-final and see where we go from there."

Wakefield are in charge of their top-four destiny heading into the penultimate round after taking advantage of Leigh Leopards' slip-up at Huddersfield Giants.

However, with a trip to Leigh coming up on the final weekend, Trinity – who sit two points clear of their rivals with a superior for and against – still have work to do to secure a first Belle Vue play-off tie since 2009.

The significance is not lost on Pitts.

"It would be immense," he said.

"You can see how well we're supported now and how much it means to the fans. It's a huge opportunity and something the club deserve.

"If we do get a home tie, I think we'd sell the place out."

Pitts was a non-playing member of the last Wakefield squad to host post-season rugby.

The local lad made his Super League debut for the club in 2008 before spells with Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC, Bradford Bulls and London Broncos.

Having lived through the good times and the bad, Pitts has savoured Trinity's recent rise more than most.

"It's amazing to see where the club have been to where we are now," he said.

"It's been brilliant and I'm so happy to be a part of that. There's some personal pride in seeing where we're getting to.

"We're still not there yet; we're still striving to get better. We're happy with where we are but still want to improve."