Wakefield Trinity prop George King stays upbeat in Covid-19 crisis

Wakefield Trinity prop George King is making the best of a bad situation during coronavirus.
George King is tackled during Wakefield Trinity's Boxing Day derby at Leeds Rhinos. Picture by Steve Riding.George King is tackled during Wakefield Trinity's Boxing Day derby at Leeds Rhinos. Picture by Steve Riding.
George King is tackled during Wakefield Trinity's Boxing Day derby at Leeds Rhinos. Picture by Steve Riding.

Frustratingly, King had made just two comeback appearances following a pre-season injury when rugby league was suspended due to Covid-19 in mid-March.

Since then he has been spending time with his family, working on his new house and running errands for vulnerable neighbours, as well as making sure he stays in shape for when Betfred Super League resumes.

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The former Warrington Wolves front-rower suffered damage to an ankle in Trinity’s Boxing Day defeat at Leeds Rhinos.

An injury on Boxing Day kept George King out of action until March. Picture by Steve Riding.An injury on Boxing Day kept George King out of action until March. Picture by Steve Riding.
An injury on Boxing Day kept George King out of action until March. Picture by Steve Riding.

After missing Trinity’s opening five games, he was a substitute against Hull in Betfred Super League on March 6 and for the following weekend’s Coral Challenge Cup tie against Bradford Bulls, their last game before the shutdown.

“I managed to play two games and I was starting to find my feet and get my match fitness back,” King recalled.

“Then all of a sudden this happened, but I am making the best of a bad situation.

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“I am still managing to keep fit, it is a bit difficult keeping muscle mass on, but I am spending more time with my family.

George King is tackled by Joey Lussick during Trinity's home win over Salford last season. Picture by James Hardisty.George King is tackled by Joey Lussick during Trinity's home win over Salford last season. Picture by James Hardisty.
George King is tackled by Joey Lussick during Trinity's home win over Salford last season. Picture by James Hardisty.

“I am spending time with the in-laws at the minute because I am still doing up a house so in hindsight it has been quite positive, managing to get the house sorted.”

King added: “I’ve also been helping in the neighbourhood, with neighbours who are struggling.

“I’ve been doing a bit of shopping for them and just helping out where I can.”

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Public gyms are out of bounds due to social distancing rules, but King has been training at home with fitness equipment supplied by Trinity, as well as some borrowed from his brother, Toby, who plays for Warrington Wolves.

Training alone is not ideal, but King stressed: “Obviously it has been challenging, but it has been challenging for everyone.

“As rugby players we are still in a better position than a lot of people out there.

“Luckily I am not too far away from a local field so I’ve been able to run and hopefully I won’t be too far off when we get back to playing games.

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“I am fully healed now and it’s just a case of keeping on top of things and making sure I am ticking over and raring to go again.”

Trinity’s players, who have been placed on furlough, haven’t seen each other face to face for almost two months, but King insisted team spirit remains high.

“We are all keeping in touch, through WhatsApp,” he confirmed.

“We are all challenging each other, we’ve set up an app so we can see what each other’s doing as regards weights and running and things like that.

“That has been pleasing and everyone’s buying in.

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“It is difficult for players, like with clubs, because we don’t know what is going to happen, but it’s just one of those things. You have got to stay positive.”

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