Trueman show gets rave review from Pitts

Jake Trueman proved an assured presence in the halves as he helped Wakefield Trinity secure a 46-10 win away to Huddersfield Giants on his return to the side; Jay Pitts, who led the way in defence for the visitors at the Accu Stadium with 38 tackles, was full of praise for the halfback following his recovery from a shoulder injury; Wakefield moved back into the Betfred Super League top six as a result of the win

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Marc Bazeley
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Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 01/03/2025 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League Round 3 - Wakefield Trinity v St Helens - The DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield, England - Jake Trueman.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 01/03/2025 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League Round 3 - Wakefield Trinity v St Helens - The DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield, England - Jake Trueman.

JAY Pitts hailed the impact of Jake Trueman as Wakefield Trinity kept their play-off hopes alive with a 46-10 win away to Huddersfield Giants.

The 25-year-old halfback reunited with his former Castleford Tigers head coach Daryl Powell after joining promoted Wakefield from Hull FC over the winter, and was making his first appearance since suffering a shoulder injury against Hull KR on June 27.

Trueman provided an assist as Trinty ran in eight tries against the 11th-placed Giants at the Accu Stadium to move back into the top six ahead of Hull FC’s trip to Wigan Warriors on Saturday, and second row Pitts was full of praise for his team-mate’s contribution.

“It’s not lie that we’ve struggled to have a starting spine out all year and you can see what a big difference Truey makes to the team,” Pitts told BBC Five Live Sports Extra.

“Also, it’s good for the rest of the spine as well because it frees Mason up and doesn’t put as much pressure on him.

“Truey is an amazing player and we’re a different team when he’s in there.

“He’s a real calming influence and I think that’s why we were able to stick in the game and be pretty relentless in there.”

Wakefield’s tries were mostly shared around their backline, with Pitts’ fellow forwards Mike McMeeken and Josh Griffin both forcing their way over to score as well.

Pitts, meanwhile, led his side’s defensive effort with 38 tackles per Stats Perform’s data, but was delighted to see how Trinity were able to strike from various areas of the pitch.

“We like to think we have threats all over the field and Powelly and the team have given us the freedom to play what we see,” Pitts said.

“I think that showed with how many of the outside backs did score. We’re scoring from all over, and I think the more we can be like that the harder it will be for teams to defend, so we’ll keep working on that.”

“We’ll enjoy this, but then we’ll be back to work.”