WAKEFIELD blew away all expectations in 2009, eventually finishing fifth in the Engage Super League table, despite many pundits suggesting they would struggle.

And it’s proving the same in 2010.

Once again, many neutral observers predicted coach John Kear’s men would find the going tough, but once again Kear and his men are proving them all wrong.

After the opening three rounds of Super League XV, the Wildcats were sitting proudly at the top of the table, starting with a win at Harlequins, a home triumph over Catalans Dragons and then a stunning 28-18 victory over Super League champions Leeds at their Hearwell Stadium on February 14.

Although they were beaten 22-16 at St Helens last Friday night – they were 12-0 ahead early on – many felt Wakefield deserved something from the contest.

ONE of the most experienced coaches in Super League, John Kear has proven his talents over the last decade at both club and international level.

Known as the Challenge Cup final king after guiding Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC to shock wins, the former Giants chief is a coach who has always been able to get the very best out of his players.

Kear’s coaching career started at Bramley, with his crowning glory coming in 1998 when he masterminded the biggest Wembley Challenge Cup final shock in history when he led Sheffield to their stunning triumph over the mighty Wigan. He has been in charge at Wakefield since late 2006.

DANNY BROUGH is the man with arguably the most dangerous kicking game in British rugby league.

The scrum half’s energy and vision are crucial to Wakefield’s attacking abilities.

His long passes create havoc for opposing defenders, while his kicking is equally accurate, whether landing goals or kicking from hand, something which was underlined with his match-winning conversion for Hull in the 2005 Challenge Cup final.

He represented Scotland at the 2008 World Cup in Australia and will have ambitions to gain further international honours during the coming years.

Furthermore, Brough is rumoured to have been a Giants target in the past.

WILDCATS Blaymire, Blanch, Gleeson, Millard, Jeffries, Brough, Tronc, Korkidas, Ferguson, Morrison, Demetriou, Obst, Henderson, Murphy, King, Leo-Latu, Morton, Davey, Moore.

GIANTS Cudjoe, Lolesi, Whatuira, D Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Gilmour, Fa'alogo, Wild, Raleigh, D Griffin, Lawrence, Faiumu, Grix, Aspinwall, Patrick, Horne.

REFEREE Ben Thaler.