Wakefield’s Finn keen to prove Cas wrong

WAKEFIELD Trinity Wildcats’ new signing Liam Finn says only time will tell who made the right decision – him or his former Castleford Tigers boss Daryl Powell.
Liam Finn. PIC: Jonathan GawthorpeLiam Finn. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Liam Finn. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Finn was told by Powell he wouldn’t be one of his regular halves in 2016 and so, despite having a year left on his contract, was allowed to move to their fierce rivals.

The experienced Ireland captain could be a great signing for Wakefield as they seek to avoid any of the drama of last season when they finished bottom of Super League and needed to win the Million Pound Game to avoid relegation.

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He had been a mainstay of Castleford’s side last season until losing his spot in the final weeks to Samoa international Benny Roberts.

“I could sense it coming,” said Finn, on his exit.

“Often more people know about it before you and there was rumours so it didn’t come as a surprise.

“I felt like I was on the outer at Cas for that last month or so and it did feel a bit weird given I’d played about seven-eighths of the season.

“But I had a chat with Daryl and left on pretty good terms with him and the club which is always the right and best way to do things.

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“There’s no real complaints from me; he’s made his decision on the way he wants to go and I’ve made my decision on where I want my career to go so only time will tell who made the right one.”

Having spent most of his career in the lower leagues, Finn proved a revelation at Castleford having followed Powell there from Featherstone Rovers at the end of 2013.

But with chances set to be limited there in 2016, he added: “I’ve not sat about watching rugby at any point in my career and I don’t want to start doing that now at 32 years old.

“Wakefield could offer me regular football and it was a no-brainer really especially when I spoke to (coach) Brian (Smith) and heard what his plans were for the club.

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“It’s been a really enjoyable first few weeks of training and I’m getting to know the boys now.

“I’m looking forward to this season starting.”

The former Dewsbury Rams player, who briefly played for Wakefield in 2004 after moving from hometown Halifax, is one of a number of potentially astute signings for Smith ahead of the new campaign.

He has also recruited ex-Leeds Rhinos full-back Ben Jones-Bishop, Warrington prop Anthony England and Cronulla Sharks forward Anthony Tupou which has Trinity fans hoping they may be in for a far better campaign in 2016.

Finn admits there is a feel-good factor around the place and added: “Everyone is starting afresh. The people here from last season managed to do the job in that match (Million Pound Game v Bradford Bulls) and give the club this opportunity so those lads are on a high as they’ve kept their jobs.

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“And hopefully the new lads can bring something different and grow the squad so we’re all on the right footing.

“We’ve got a good coach to help us do it as well.

“It might be jumping the gun to say we could do what Cas did (making the play-offs in 2014) at this stage but we’re just putting the building blocks in place at the moment so we’re ready to go for February.”