Born Red, Live Red, Die Red: Wakefield v Salford Big match preview

Wakefield Trinity vs Salford Red Devils

Super League - Friday 9th Feb – Mobile Rocket Stadium – KO 7:35PM

Salford play their second match of the Super League campaign against Wakefield Trinity on Friday evening.

Even though it’s early in the campaign, Ian Watson will see this as a must win to ensure the Red Devils season kicks into gear as early as possible. After the 12-40 defeat against Wigan last time out, the head coach will no doubt have been concentrating on firming some of the weaknesses exposed by Wigan last Friday evening.

On the other side of the Pennines, Chris Chester’s men will be keen to build on their promising start. Running out 28-6 winners against newly promoted Hull KR. It was a scrappy game by all accounts, but never-the-less, Trinity - who finished an impressive 5th after the Super 8’s in 2017 – racked up 6 tries against Rovers.

With no new injury concerns from last week and both teams having announced 19 man squads, let’s look at some key battles on the pitch where the game could be decided.

Props: Lama Tasi v David Fifita

Two big hitters face each other on Friday night and Samoan, Lama Tasi will be hoping to get the upper hand against his Fijian opponent. The Red Devils prop had an impressive 2017 season until it was ended prematurely through injury. He looks fighting fit this season and raring to go and hopefully be able to unleash some of those big hits that Salford fans have become accustomed to.

Wakefield prop forward David Fifita also had an impressive 2017, topping the tackle busts, carries and metre making charts for his club. It’s clear therefore that the Salford pack will be well prepared to face him, but can they stop him?

Hooker: Logan Tomkins v Kyle Wood

If Logan Tomkins does make the 17 on Friday, he will be key to Salford’s tempo in the early stages of the match. It’s critical that the Red Devils start the game on the front foot and don’t get dominated around the ruck. His competitive tackling and consistently good ball distribution means he’s an almost certain starter if fit.

Trinity Hooker, Kyle Wood has come of age in the last season. His consistently high level of performance, saw him playing every game until the last 3 of the 2017 campaign. He was rewarded for his efforts with the clubs “Man of Steel Award”. Salford will need to make sure he’s kept quiet for as long as possible, or the large Trinity pack will be able to dominate the ruck.

Centres: Junior Sa’u v Bill Tupou

There were a lot of below par performances from the Salford team against Wigan last week, Junior Sa’u however, was one of the exceptions. His big hits in defence and threatening runs were some of the bright points of an otherwise frustrating game. If he’s able to get time on the ball, Sa’u is able to unlock defences as he did time and again during last season’s campaign.

Former Kiwi international Bill Tupou was also extremely impressive during Trinity’s last campaign, crossing the whitewash 15 out of 26 appearances and creating many more for his wingers. He needs to be closely watched by his opposite number to ensure his time and space on the ball is limited. Sa’u however may have the advantage over him in a one on one Attack vs Defence.

Wing: Niall Evalds v Tom Johnstone

Niall Evalds will most likely be posted to the wing for Friday’s game, due to Greg Johnson not being in the 19-man squad. This will leave Gareth O’Brien to operate as an extra pivot at the line from fullback with Jack Littlejohn moving to scrum half. Evalds, though not his favoured position, scored from the wing against Wigan last week and has always been a solid attacking winger when called upon.

Wakefield winger Tom Johnstone has started this season in prolific form, scoring a hat-trick against Hull KR last weekend. The 22-year-old flyer, who was named Wakefield’s player of the year in 2016, started his first competitive game for over 8 months and is definitely one to keep an eye on in the game on Friday.