EYE ON THE CUP: Wakefield v Catalans Preview

 With Hull FC and Castleford's Challenge Cup tie postponed due to positive Covid-19 tests and all lower league clubs withdrawing from the competition, there is only one game which will be played in the UK this weekend. Wakefield Trinity will face Catalans for a place in the quarter finals. The victor will face Salford Red Devils.

You would be forgiven for thinking that this match is a foregone conclusion with Wakefield still reeling from a 58 point thumping at the hands of Catalans under one week ago. Here are a few reasons why it might be different this week:

1. Priorities

Let's look at comments from Wakefield chairman Michael Carter earlier this month (via totalrl.com):

"Wakefield haven’t been there [to a Challenge Cup Final] since 1979 and are the only club that hasn’t been to a final in the Super League era that is still in the competition now... [I] think it’s a massive opportunity for us. Catalans will be tough and Salford will be exactly the same. There’s no easy route to the final, but it’s absolutely something we should be targeting and it’s something I have discussed with Chezzy (Chris Chester)."

It is rare in sport for a chairman to so openly prioritise one competition over the other. With no threat of relegation and Wakefield's prospects of making the play offs as good as over, expect Trinity to throw everything into this match.

2. Opportunities

Chris Chester was scathing of Wakefield's performance last weekend and has promised to make several changes.

"There are a few decisions to be made for next week...That is the good thing about having young kids in your squad. Alex Walker is still young, we have got Jack Croft, Connor Bailey and Yusuf Aydin that are all chomping at the bit... Having watched the way that team performed, I reckon they will perform a lot better than some of the senior guys we had out there today.

(Comments via Wakefield Express)

Alex Walker had a stellar season for London last year, but has had to be very patient in waiting for his opportunity in 2020. He is now likely to be given his chance and with a positive performance may stake a claim for the full back spot on a permanent basis. There will no shortage of motivation for the likes of him, or Jack Croft, who is likely to get a rare start in the absence of Tom Johnstone and Lee Kershaw. 

 3. Injuries

Wakefield were hamstrung by injuries last weekend and were down to just one substitute by half time. Any prospect of a comeback was killed by their in-game injuries. That being said, even without the injuries, the abject nature of their performance last week meant a fightback was incredibly unlikely.

4. Turnarounds

It is not heard of in rugby league for huge turnarounds to occur in a short space of time. You probably all recall that Catalans defeated Warrington in the 2018 Challenge Cup Final. It is less well remembered that a league meeting just weeks before saw Warrington win by 50 points. Trinity will be hoping for something similar.

5. Catalans

Another ray of light for Wakefield are Catalans' absentees. Sam Tomkins and Sam Moa are banned, Langi and Bosquet are injured. These are offset, in part, by the return of Israel Folau, who was at his devastating best in his last performance against Castleford.

Catalans were fantastic for 80 minutes last week and for 60 minutes against Castleford the week before. Wakefield will be under no illusions that they must perform to their best to stand a chance and hope Catalans performance dips.

Wakefield fans will no doubt be at their television sets to see what unfolds on Saturday afternoon. With the Government piloting a return for live sporting audiences, it is a shame that this match was not selected. I can hardly think of a more suitable match. A 25,000 seater stadium, a neutral venue, the likely maximum number of Wakefield fans to attend would be a few thousand and no away fans. 

Wakefield start their quest this weekend for their first trip to Wembley since 1979. With Super League hopes waning since the restart, a lot is riding on this game for Trinity. But for Catalans too, the 2020 season presents a fantastic opportunity for more success. They relinquished the Challenge Cup trophy last season and this season presents a realistic chance of more silverware!

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