John Kear remembered as Wakefield Trinity look to exploit Hull KR Wembley hangover

But the clash at Belle Vue will play out against a poignant backdrop following the sudden death of former Wakefield Trinity head coach John Kear.

The 71-year-old famously saved Trinity from relegation in 2006 and could still be heard telling stories at the club this season as a matchday host.

Jason Demetriou, Paul Cooke and Chris Chester will be among Kear's proteges paying their respects tomorrow evening, while some of his former Castleford team-mates will also be in attendance.

The impact of Kear's death has been felt within the Wakefield camp in the build-up to the game.

"There's quite a few of our boys who’ve been coached by John at different times during their career," said Daryl Powell.

"I knew him really well throughout my career. He coached me with international teams and latterly he interviewed me every other week, every home game. I was pretty devastated when I heard. It was really tough news.

"As a coach, he did some pretty iconic things. As a person and as a coach, I had such a lot of admiration and respect for him and what he has done.

"John meant different things to a lot of players. Not everybody would have known him like some of us do. For the players who did know him well, if you can harness it, playing in respect of John would be a great way to play."

Amid the poignancy, there is a chance for Wakefield to take advantage of any lingering Wembley hangover in the Hull KR camp.

The Robins travelled to the capital full of optimism, only to leave with bruised egos.

"History tells you it's a tough game to play straight after a final," said Powell, who has been in KR's position as a coach and player.

"I've seen it go both ways. Hull KR have shown that they can handle it but they are tough games. There's no question.

"Ultimately, we've just got to play well. They're an outstanding team and won everything last year.

"I don't think they're a team that is going to be sulking for too long. They'll be coming after us and we've got to return serve and make sure that we do exactly what we need to do to win the game.

"I'm confident that we're going to be flat out in this game. We've had a week off and the boys are raring to go. This is about us delivering an outstanding performance."

If there is ever a good time to play Rovers, it is this weekend.

The same could be said of next Friday's home clash with cup winners Wigan Warriors, who also have a trip to Paris to contend with.

"It's a great opportunity for us to show how good we can be," added Powell, whose side are level on points with KR in the top six.

"I think we're in a great place. We're exactly where we want to be. This is the time for us to put our foot down over the next couple of weeks.

"You can only play one game at a time. Hull KR is a great opportunity for us to get after and play against the best team in the comp. That should get you mentally exactly where you need to be."

The task could hardly be tougher for Rovers seven days on from a crushing defeat.

Willie Peters, however, does not see it that way.

"I think it's the perfect game to respond after the Challenge Cup because we're playing against a very good team," he said.

"It's a great opportunity for us. We had a lot of players say they were disappointed with their game at Wembley and didn't reach anywhere near the levels that they can and they should so I'm looking forward to that this week against good opposition.

"Wakefield ask a lot of questions and score a lot of tries on their edge. They're good at running shape so you've got to be on.

"It's a great game for us to be able to right some wrongs."

KR had won their previous nine matches but were guilty of a flat performance in the heat of a Wembley final.

Peters has called on his side to live the 'Hull KR Way' on their return to Super League – a mantra defined by world-class effort.

"In life, you don't want to have regrets,” he said. "There are a few regrets from that day for us as a team and a club.

"It's making sure you're consistent with who you are every day as a person and who we are as a team every day. We've done that for long, long periods.

"We've had some setbacks but what we try and do is go back to what works for us and simplify it. What do we value? We've got words on a wall but are they just words on a wall or are we going to action them?

"I want to see us actioning what we value. I want us to be ourselves and the team that everyone knows we are. That's being great team-mates and leaving everything out on the field.

"It's been pretty evident to see what the boys value as a team – but we didn't do that for long periods last weekend."