Wakefield Trinity are making plenty of moves both on and off the field ahead of their upcoming campaign in the Championship and the latest of those sees centre Samisoni Langi depart the club after just one season.
Langi was one of just four signings made by Trinity prior to the 2023 season along with Renouf Atoni, Morgan Smith and Kevin Proctor, however just Atoni remains with the club now following their relegation and the wholesale changes under the club’s new ownership.
Since local businessman Matt Ellis has taken control of the club there’s been a number of major changes with former Castleford Tigers and Warrington Wolves head coach Daryl Powell’s appointment being most significant.
Powell has now gone about shaping his squad for 2024 and he’s retained just one of those four players recruited prior to the 2023 season, with Langi the latest to be released. The centre had signed from Catalans but suffered a number of injury issues during his maiden campaign at Belle Vue.
Langi’s departure was confirmed via a club statement which read: “Wakefield Trinity can confirm the departure of Samisoni Langi after one season with the club.
“Wakefield Trinity can confirm the departure of Samisoni Langi after one season with the club. He joined us on a 2-year deal after spending 5 seasons with the Catalans Dragons in Super League.
“Unfortunately, Samisoni suffered persistent injuries during the season which restricted his appearances to 14 and his career with the club never really got out of first gear. We would like to thank Samisoni for his efforts with the club and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”
One of those injuries saw Langi break his arm in an innocuous tackle, perhaps highlighting the bad luck that he suffered during his time with the club. Aged just 30 he’ll now likely look for an opportunity elsewhere with a number of Super League clubs likely to circle for him given his pedigree.
Prior to his season with Trinity Langi had starred for Catalans, with whom he lifted the Challenge Cup and also made the 2021 Grand Final, whilst also gaining residency in the country and therefore representing France at the World Cup in 2022.
Ultimately it never worked out for the Australian born centre with Wakefield who have since gone about a spell of recruitment and retainment in the past few weeks. Those deals include the signing of former England international and Super League legend Jermaine McGillvary, whilst in the centres to replace Langi the club have also tied down former Wigan Warriors man Iain Thornley and last season’s trialist Romain Franco.
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