WAKE-UP CALL
Morgan magic is keeping Gale on the sidelines
EX-ENGLAND star Luke Gale might have to wait even longer for his Wakefield debut, with boss Mark Applegarth insisting he won’t let romance sway his decision.
The former Leeds scrum-half joined from Championship part-timers Keighley just over a week ago to aid their fight against relegation but wasn’t picked for Friday’s defeat at Warrington.
Gale, 34, does hope to make his bow against Hull FC, where he spent a turbulent time last year, in tomorrow night’s televised Betfred Super League game.
But as bottom-placed Trinity look to finally get off the mark after 11 straight losses, Applegarth
(above) conceded current halfback Morgan Smith has upped his game following the ex-Man of Steel’s arrival.
He said: “I was really happy with Morgan Smith.
“He responded really well to the challenges we set him, he did exactly what I asked of him and I was really happy with how he got himself into that game against Warrington. He scored a lovely, welldeserved try.
“He’s definitely given us a good selection headache. And I’ve always said, ‘If you do your job, it’s your shirt to lose’.
“Morgan’s done that so we’ll wait and see. But he’ll give me plenty of sleepless nights if he carries on playing like he did against Warrington.”
Gale captained Hull during a difficult season last term, suffering injuries and incurring bans before being let go and ending up in the second tier. Clearly, he’d love to get the chance to take them on and Applegarth said: “It would have a bit of extra meaning. But it’s a bigger game than just ‘Luke Gale and Hull.’
“It’s about the team and he’d be the first one to say it’s team-first mentality.
“We will do what’s right for our team and not just do the romance story that everyone would say about Luke playing against his old club.” Gale is in the 21-man squad and Applegarth says he has been a positive influence without even yet playing.
He said: “You try to create that competition so it keeps everyone on their toes. Morgan’s responded to it (Gale’s arrival) really well and Galey’s been helping Morgs loads too. That’s the beauty of it all.” Wakefield’s Liam Kay misses the game with an infected leg wound and so Tom Lineham or Lee Kershaw will come in. Meanwhile, Hull KR have told Sam Wood, Jimmy Keinhorst and Ethan Ryan that they are free to find new clubs for 2024. The trio, who are out of contract at the end of the season, will not be offered new terms.
■ CASTLEFORD have appointed Batley Bulldogs boss Craig Lingard, 45, as their assistant coach.
He will combine roles until the end of the season.