The Super League landscape is changing for the better in so many areas since IMG’s arrival into the game: and few places encapsulate the boom the sport has experienced lately quite like Wakefield Trinity.
Even the most ardent Trinity supporter would tell you one of rugby league’s grand old clubs was in desperate need of a refresh as recently as two years ago. Their famous old Belle Vue ground has been the butt of countless jokes about its state of disrepair and on the pitch, relegation at the end of 2023 was the culmination of several years of struggling.
Related: Wakefield mark Super League return with deserved victory at Leeds
But shortly after Wakefield’s 20-year stint in Super League was brought to an end, things began to change. Work had already started on renovating their stadium thanks to the tireless efforts of the club’s former owners, who ran Trinity sustainably and deserve immense credit for nights like these becoming a reality. Without them, what happened next does not materialise.
Wakefield were purchased by local businessman Matt Ellis and his family. They promised to revolutionise Trinity and how they have delivered on that promise. Ellis appointed legendary Super League coach Daryl Powell to lead a rebuild in the Championship – and the club promptly won all three trophies on offer in the second tier last year.
During that period, a redeveloped, modernised Belle Vue was being built – and the people of this West Yorkshire city responded to what was happening, with crowds going up last year, despite Trinity not competing in Super League. In an IMG criteria-led world where what do you off it means more, this club are the perfect blueprint.
IMG arrived in rugby league determined to raise standards off the field, as well as on it. Off the field, Wakefield are now up there with the best of them but on it, this was an important lesson about the work that is still to be done by a club who have trodden a very similar journey themselves in recent seasons.
Hull KR and Leigh Leopards have returned to Super League from the Championship in the last few years and have made no secret of their fact they want to thrive, not just survive. Leigh lifted the Challenge Cup in 2023, while Rovers made the Grand Final for the first time last season. They are clubs Wakefield are desperate to emulate.
But the Robins showed here why they are made for the big moments with a hard-earned victory to spoil Wakefield’s Super League homecoming, in front of the biggest crowd Belle Vue has seen for 17 years. 4,710 watched Hull KR put 50 past Wakefield at the end of the 2023 season: here, 8,065 watched a much closer affair.
It was a familiar story, with the reigning Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis, proving to be the difference as he scored the match-winning try. But that try could come at a cost for Lewis and Rovers, with the half-back suffering an ankle injury in the act of scoring. He was in a protective boot and on crutches less than half an hour later as Rovers held on to win a thrilling contest 14-12.
Salford's takeover has been formally approved by the Rugby Football League and the club are able to field a full-strength squad against Leeds on Saturday. The Red Devils named a predominantly reserve squad for their Betfred Super League opener against St Helens and were defeated 82-0 – the biggest losing margin in the competition's history – after they were placed under restrictions.
Salford were bound to a £1.2m sustainability cap after they failed to provide the RFL with the necessary requirements to lift the restriction following businessman Dario Berta's takeover on 7 February.
The club said in a statement: "Salford Red Devils is pleased to announce that the takeover of the club has been formally approved by RFL Commercial, following the completion of the final requirements. As such, the club will be in a position to field a full-strength squad on Saturday for the Salford Red Devils' opening home fixture against Leeds Rhinos.
"The club is excited to welcome the Salford Red Devils community and enjoy the spectacle that will be the Happy Mondays, who will be performing on matchday."
The RFL has launched a compliance investigation into Salford's decision to field a reserve squad against St Helens. The investigation could result in Salford being charged with a breach of operational rules, which if proven would expose the club to a range of potential sanctions.
Salford's decision to use a reserve squad drew criticism from rivals, including the Warrington head coach, Sam Burgess, that it had compromised the integrity of the competition. PA Media
“It doesn’t look good,” Hull KR’s coach, Willie Peters, admitted post-match. Rovers have fought to win their opening two games by a combined margin of just three points. In some ways, you could suggest that is a sign of a team yet to hit top gear. But in others, it is a hallmark of a team destined to compete at the top again: winning, even when they are not at their best.
And Wakefield will hope they can now follow a similar journey after a remarkable turnaround in less than two years. With young, homegrown stars like Max Jowitt and Oliver Pratt excelling here, they have the foundations laid for something, social, you suspect.
This was a lesson as to the fine margins required to succeed at the highest level. But the fact it was a team who were in this position just a few years ago that taught that lesson shows there is a path for even brighter days ahead for a club with incredibly bold ambitions to gatecrash Super League’s elite. And if Wakefield can do it, why can’t anyone else?
