Washbrook determined to produce true grit for Wakefield

WAKEFIELD TRINITY WILDCATS’ Danny Washbrook says the squad intend on demonstrating a grittier style this season and will no longer allow themselves to fall away in contests.
Wakefield's Danny Washbrook.Wakefield's Danny Washbrook.
Wakefield's Danny Washbrook.

They proved the point emphatically in Sunday’s opener at Castleford when they stunned the Challenge Cup finalists to recover from a 22-6 deficit and record a 24-22 triumph courtesy of the 29-year-old’s late try.

Wakefield, aware of the need for points under Super League’s new format, hope to quickly add a second scalp when Hull KR arrive at Belle Vue this weekend and continue to disprove the critics who consistently label them as wooden spoonists.

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Washbrook, who joined from Hull at the end of 2011, said: “It’s one of those things unfortunately that comes with Wakefield; everyone expects you to finish bottom.

“I think we’ve been tipped to finish bottom for the last four years and never have.

“If people want to tip us there, let them. It’s not something we look at or say ‘let’s prove them wrong.’

“We just go about our business and do what we want to do.

“We were delighted with what happened on Sunday. Cas is a tough place to go.

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“I know over the past three or four years we’ve done alright there but last season we certainly didn’t.

“We owed it to ourselves and to the fans especially to get a good start to the season.

“We needed to put in a performance. We ground it out.

“Last year that’s what Cas’ did to a lot of teams; they stayed in the game and then won it at the end and that’s just what we did.”

The ex-Hull FC loose-forward - who thrived during his switch to second-row at the weekend - is now looking forward to Sunday’s home game with Hull KR.

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That should see Craig Hall make a swift appearance against the club he left last autumn.

Washbrook, who played with Hall at Hull FC, believes the utility man is set to be a hit at Belle Vue after he made an impressive debut at full-back against Castleford kicking four goals.

“I did give him a nice easy one to win it!” said Washbrook, who scored between the posts to level the game.

“But he is a quality player Craig. I’ve sort of grown up with him and seen the skills he’s got.

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“He’s always shown them in glimpses and I don’t think he’s ever been given a full chance to show them for a full season so hopefully he’ll get that chance here.

“He’s a really skillful player who brings a lot to the team.

“Hull KR will be a tough ask. They are a good team, have recruited a lot, and took Leeds close last week so we’ll build on what we’ve done, train hard and look at where we can improve.

“Being a Hull lad, though, I do always enjoy playing them.”