In a week where rugby league news seems to be full of uncertainty and disbelief, there has been some feel-good moments this week that show what the rugby league community is all about, and why the sport is one of the best at supporting their own. 

After Wakefield Trinity’s nail-biting win over Leeds Rhinos on Thursday night, some Wakefield Trinity fans and members were able to celebrate the victory the following day when they hosted a luncheon club. 

It was there that fan favourite and one of Trinity’s key players this season, Caius Faatili, took the pledge and completed a challenge that was set to him by a young Wakefield fan going through illness. 

Faatili is now known for his unique hairstyle, a bright ginger mullet, but on Friday he shaved all his hair off in support of Sammy Balmforth, a young Trinity supporter suffering with Leukaemia. 

Braving the shave in front of a room full of fans, his teammate and fellow prop Isaiah Vagana took the clippers and cut off all of Faatili’s hair, leaving only an avatar-like arrow on the head of the 23-year-old, the same haircut that Balmforth has.

Why Wakefield Trinity star braved the shave

The challenge was to raise money and awareness for Yorkshire-based charity, Candlelighters UK, who already have a connection with the Wakefield club after last month’s home fixture against Leigh Leopards was dedicated to them. This was due to their aid with head coach Daryl Powell’s family after his grandchild was also diagnosed with Leukaemia. 

At the time of writing, Faatili and Balmforth have raised an incredible £5,482 for the charity, which is over five times more than the initial target of £1,000.