Wakefield Trinity in discussions over new recruits

At the conclusion of the 2020 Super League campaign, signing a new half-back and agreeing a new contract with Kelepi Tanginoa was top of head coach Chris Chester’s wish-list.

Tanginoa has signed an extended deal at the club until 2024 while former NRL half-back Mason Lino arrived at Belle Vue last week after agreeing a three-year deal.

Lino, who has also been capped by Samoa, has impressed Chester during his short time in training.

Chester revealed discussions are being held with player agents in Australia and expects names to become available in the coming months once the NRL season gets underway in March.

“In terms of recruitment, it is on-going at the minute,” said Chester.

“We are keeping our powder dry. We are using the patient approach to it all, we are not in any rush.

“Our first target was a half-back. We knew where we needed to be stronger, we needed some organisation and with Mason, we have certainly got that.

“He has got a good kicking game as well and looks really sharp. The way he plays reminds me a little bit of [Wigan Warriors’] Tommy Leuluai, how good he is at squaring up at the line.

"I don’t want to put too much pressure on Mason, but I know having a quality half like him will certainly ease the burden on Jacob Miller who had the weight on his shoulders last year.

“The primary target was a half and we are in discussions with a number of agents over here and a couple of guys overseas, but we might have to sit and wait and see what happens at the start of the NRL season.

“They are starting earlier than we are and you generally find that if they are not involved in weeks one, two or three in the NRL, there’s a little bit of unrest there and you get agents calling you up left, right and centre.

“We are just going to sit back and be patient and see what or if anything drops out of the NRL or anything drops out here.”

Having strengthened at half-back, Chester would like to add some more forward players ahead of the new campaign.

However, he is happy to be flexible, adding: “Ideally I would like a couple of middles, but we’ll just see what pops up and take it from there.”