The future of two pivotal Wakefield Trinity players is in doubt as speculation mounts that they could be set to leave at the end of this season.
Australian hooker Tyson Smoothy, who joined Trinity in pre-season after winning the NRL Grand Final with Brisbane Broncos last year, has been linked with a return to the southern hemisphere, despite being on a three-year contract.
And Love Rugby League this week reported Castleford Tigers are hopeful of signing long-serving Samoan scrum-half Mason Lino when his Trinity deal expires this autumn.
Smoothy was a high profile signing for Trinity after his golden campaign with Broncos last year. Powell insisted he will see out 2026 with Wakefield, but admitted the situation beyond that is uncertain.
“He had some family stuff at our last game with his little one and I won’t expand on that,” Powell said at his weekly preview press conference today (Thursday) ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Catalans Dragon.
“I think Tyson is settled and he’ll be here for the rest of the season. Whether he’s here after that, we’ll talk about that down the track.
“He’s here for the rest of this year, he’s pretty settled and enjoying his time at the club, but we’ll see where that goes to down the track.”
Of Lino, Powell said: “Mason is playing great at the minute. I am really happy with what he is doing. There’s all sorts of speculation out there at the minute, I just want to focus on us this year and getting on with what we need to get on with and winning games.”
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