JACK Sinfield is loving life at Wakefield Trinity after picking up his second player of the match award in four Super League games.
The son of Leeds Rhinos great Kevin – now part of the England rugby union coaching set-up – switched from AMT Headingley to the DIY Kitchens Stadium over the winter on a three-year contract.
Sinfield has settled quickly into life with one of Leeds’ traditional West Yorkshire rivals after leaving behind all he had known in his professional career to date though, starring again as Trinity beat Hull FC 14-10 in Thursday’s Round 4 opener.
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“I’m loving it,” Sinfield told Sky Sports. “All of the staff and players have made me feel really welcome.
“Any time I can get on the field, it’s good.
“It’s just good to get another two points and hopefully we can kick on now.”
Sinfield’s latest accolade came despite him missing three of four kicks at goal, yet he was on hand to provide a first-half try assist for Will Tate and put in six attacking kicks as the hosts kept Hull FC pinned in their own half for long periods.
That territorial dominance was underlined by Wakefield having 41 play-the-balls in the opposition 20 compared to just 10 for Hull FC, and head coach Daryl Powell was full of praise for how halfback Sinfield has begun his time at Trinity.
“He’s started really well,” Powell told Sky Sports.
“He had a great pre-season then he’s come into the team and looked at home, and really handled things well.
“He’ll probably work on his goal-kicking this week, but he’s been class.”
Sinfield and his Wakefield team-mates now prepare to welcome his old club Leeds in the Challenge Cup fourth round next Friday.
The 21-year-old believes Trinity still have areas to work on in attack, but praised Powell’s approach in helping them get the win over Hull FC.
“Daryl has a lot of confidence in us as a group and he told us to relax,” Sinfield said.
“I think we’ve been a bit frantic the last two weeks and a bit uptight.
“I thought we were a bit more relaxed – we were still a bit scrappy with the ball, but our defence was miles better.”