NRL recruit impresses for Wakefield Trinity as coach names Super League greats as best pre-season trainers
Wakefield Trinity head of strength and conditioning, Ben Cooper, has named one key man as having impressed at the start of pre-season.
Trinity have made a huge number of new signings ahead of their return to Super League, including names such as Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken.
However, it’s not just experienced Super League names that they’ve looked to – and an NRL recruit has seemingly started well in training.
NRL recruit impresses for Wakefield Trinity as coach names Super League greats as best pre-season trainers
On who has impressed so far, Cooper told BBC Radio Leeds: “Noah Booth and Harvey Smith, the young guys. I think them two have had two good days and then Seth (Nikotemo) as well.
“I think Seth has had a good first day coming in. Again, he’s a young man and he’s come in from the NRL and had a fair old day for his first one.”
Nikotemo has moved to the UK at just 20 years old, and faces a huge change at such a young age.
Asked who the fittest players are that he has worked with during his career, Cooper also said: “Craig Fitzgibbon was very, very fit and had a big influence on the group.
“Ryan Hall is probably the strongest player that I’ve ever come across and another great professional.
“I’ve got to mention Shenny (assistant coach Michael Shenton). He was good.”
Pre-season is huge for someone in his role, and asked whether it can ‘make or break’ a campaign, he said: “Yeah, I think it can.
“If you get it wrong then you’re always on catch-up. It’s an important part of your season and if you can come into Round One and gain some momentum after a good pre-season and you’re feeling confident, who knows what can happen?”
Round One of the Super League campaign will be against Leeds Rhinos, who were once coached by Trinity head coach Daryl Powell.
