Matt Ellis explains Xavier Va'a decision as Wakefield Trinity continue hunt for difference-maker
When Matt Ellis took charge of Wakefield Trinity in the Championship, the task facing him was clear: fix everything and start again.
The same was true in their first season back in Super League when they were effectively working from a clean slate.
Now, after ending their 13-year wait for another crack at the play-offs, the focus is on sharpening what already works.
Trinity, like any club with lofty ambitions, have not been afraid to make the tough decisions, moving on experienced players to strengthen key positions.
Wakefield do not have to look far for inspiration in their push for continual improvement.
"Hull KR have been on that journey, Leigh are on that journey and so are we," said Ellis.
"You come up from the Champ, working partially with the squad you had and adding to it with new lads. It's a cycle to see who can go with you on the ambitious journey you're on.
"I said to the lads all last season that I hoped that squad was good enough to do it. It wasn't quite good enough to get to a Grand Final but I was proud of the lads that came up from the Champ and put Wakefield back on the map.
"People like Liam Hood and Renouf Atoni had done good work for the club but you're striving to go to the next level all the time. I think the players that moved on understood that we replaced them with seasoned NRL players.
"When you come up from the Champ and want to make a splash, you've got to make a lot of signings. Now it's about quality over quantity."
NRL Grand Final winner Tyson Smoothy and Samoa international Jazz Tevaga have headlined Trinity's recruitment for 2026 – and the club are not done yet.
Sydney Roosters forward Xavier Va'a was a target but his injury history ruled him out and forced the club to look elsewhere for their new number 26.
Whereas some clubs might rush to fill the final spot with pre-season in mind, Wakefield are happy to keep their powder dry.
The recruitment team have been given a clear remit: find a difference-maker.
"We've still got a bit of space left for one more signing to complete the squad – but we've got to get it right," said Ellis.
"The Va'a one was difficult. We felt the lad had potential but he's one concussion away from a 12-week stint off.
"Whilst he's a good prospect and there was still a consideration to take a punt on it, we've only got one place left and realistically he isn't going to go through a season without a concussion. It was too much of a risk.
"We want to add someone who takes us forward rather than just filling out the squad. If an experienced player comes up, like Joe Ofahengaue who signed for Leigh in the early part of the season, that would be the ideal signing because we've got a lot of young players."
Wakefield experienced Ofahengaue's impact first-hand in a chastening play-off experience in September.
After holding off Hull FC in the battle for sixth spot, the eliminator at Leigh Sports Village proved a game too far for Daryl Powell's team.
There was a real sense of celebration and togetherness that night despite the sobering defeat.
Trinity had shown they could compete with the best in 2025 but there is no room for a 'plucky losers' mentality moving forward.
The challenge now is to turn promise into tangible success.
"I think we've got a squad that can get in the play-offs again," said Ellis.
"We're coming up against a strong league again but that's got to be the ambition of the club. Bringing Tyson and Jazz in to add to what we already had gives us a chance to kick on.
"And all the young lads who have just had their first year in Super League, like Caleb Hamlin-Uele and Oli Pratt, are a year more experienced.
"There's a different perception of the club now. Looking at where the bookies have got us and early predictions, people are thinking we're going to be in and around the play-offs again.
"That's got to be the aim. Long-term, we'll keep building the squad so we win some silverware.
"You can't just stand still. We're striving to get to that next level."