Arundel wants Wakefield to reward fans with successful season
Joe Arundel believes a succesful season for Wakefield in 2016 is needed to reward the club’s loyal supporters.
The Wildcats have endured mainly a forgettable couple of years in which they have struggled at the lower ends of Super League, with the club finishing bottom of the table last season.
Brian Smith’s side faced Bradford Bulls in the Middle 8’s Million Pound game in October, eventually winning the game 24-16 to confirm their place back in Super League for this season.
Arundel, the ex-Hull and Castleford star, believes the club and the team have a strong spirit and he wants to use that to give the fans a season they deserve.
“There’s a really strong bond here at Wakefield already and those coming in have added to that bond,” he told the Wakefield’s official website.
“There’s been quite a few new faces but everyone has got along really well. I think it showed in the game against Leeds and hopefully that goes on throughout the year and we have a good season, which is needed for the fans.”
Arundel made 24 appearances for Wakefield last season, and has decided to turn his loan move to Wakefield into a permanent deal in the off-season.
The 24 year-old believes that the pre-season victory over the Champions, Leeds, on Boxing Day is testament to the work they have been putting in on the training field over the last few weeks.
“Leeds only had a few players missing and I thought we handled their attack really well,” he said.
“They are known for their attack and their offloads and that’s what we have been working on in training, our defence. It’s been good to finally get back on the field, the training day have been tough and it was good to get the work done on the training field onto the pitch and it was a good result in the end.”
On a personal note, Arundel has been seen as a utility man in pre-season so far, and the ex-Castleford and Hull FC star has said he’s looking to continue his form to ensure of a place in Wakefield’s Super League opener against Widnes.
“I played a few different positions but overall I’m quite happy with my performance,” he said.
“I am hoping to play well in the next friendly, and then to put myself in the reckoning for the starting games of the season.”