RFL launch inquiry into Wakefield tragedy

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Wakefield's shell-shocked playing staff were offered bereavement counselling on Monday as they came to terms with the latest tragedy to hit the club.

The Wildcats players and backroom staff were said to be "devastated" by the sudden death of promising forward Walker, who collapsed in the second half of Sunday's reserve match against Celtic Crusaders in Maesteg.

Attempts were made to revive the 21-year-old on the pitch before he was airlifted to hospital in Swansea, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

It is the second tragedy to hit the club in five months, following the death of prop forward Adam Watene during a weight training session last October.

The RFL postponed Sunday night's Super League match between Wakefield and the Crusaders and gave the Wildcats permission to call off this Friday's home game against St Helens.

The club cancelled training on Monday and will postpone this weekend's reserve game against Saints but have decided, after consulting with the player's parents, to press ahead with the Super League fixture.

The RFL have launched an inquiry into the incident, which is normal procedure, and announced that a minute's silence will be held before all matches this weekend.

"It's something that shouldn't happen to any club but it's the second time it's happened to us," said Wakefield's community and marketing director James Elston. "We had two options - we could wallow in self-pity and say 'why us?' or we can get on with playing rugby league. We've got to keep going.

"We're making bereavement counsellors available and, in terms of business, we've made the decision that Friday's game should go ahead. At the end of the day, Leon played rugby league and loved rugby league and that's what he would want to see happen. We've got to do the lad proud."