Tyson Smoothy will feature for Wakefield Trinity this weekend in his side’s game against Leigh Leopards tomorrow night.
Boss Daryl Powell confirmed the news earlier today in his pre-match press conference, as he also gave his verdict on how the NRL Grand Final winner has fared in his opening few months of Super League life.
Smoothy’s last game down under was Brisbane’s Grand Final win over Penrith Panthers, so comes to the side with plenty of experience.
The 26-year-old has signed a long-term deal at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, and will be a key part of the club’s ongoing rebuild that has seen them go from Super League relegation to, as owner Matt Ellis believes, one of the major clubs in the competition.
Smoothy will make his fifth Trinity appearance tomorrow, and has already made an incredible impact in that short space of time.
“He made a really good impression on the training front in pre-season. He’s done a lot of work with Harvey [Smith]. From a leadership perspective, his impact has been great there working with Harvey.
“I think he’s played really solid stuff. Obviously, he gets that head knock at Warrington which rattled him for that game and then has taken him out of a couple of games. So, it’s been hard for Tyson the last few weeks.”
Wakefield Trinity provide update on injured duo
Two people who won’t be fit enough to feature this week are overseas pair Mason Lino and Lachlan Walmsley.
Lino has been missing since the round one defeat to Toulouse, after picking up a hamstring injury. The half-back has been replaced by Jack Sinfield in the side, and the youngster is currently proving very effective, meaning Lino will have plenty of work to do to retain his spot in the side.
On the former New Zealand Warrior, Powell said: “I think he’ll be a couple of weeks minimum. I’ve watched him, he’s out there running today so he’s on his feet, but he’s getting about pretty slowly at the moment.
That’ll get built up and then we’ll just take it a week at a time. I reckon he’ll be two weeks minimum, the way it’s looking at the moment.
Also sidelined is winger Lachlan Walmsley, who hasn’t featured since scoring two tries in victory over Huddersfield Giants in round two.
Powell confirmed that Walmsley, who is a former Scottish international, has recently had an operation and will be out “for a while.”
Hull FC under pressure, Huddersfield Giants in crisis and shock Super League predictions – click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
