The Lino rumour has gone on for a few months now regarding him leaving, and this has surfaced again on the cas fourm and cans fans on twitter....

The only reason to let Lino go is to clear a quota spot for what I assume would be a better Aussie HB.

Whether it’s Lino, Russell and Trueman or New Aussie, Russell and Trueman, I’d be reasonably ok with either. As I’ve never been a Lino fan I’d prefer the latter assuming he will be a much better player, but I can live with Lino.

We have Jowitt in an emergency and I’m told Powell has high hopes for the Reserve/Academy SH. On the flip side I’m also told he’s not overly sure on Lawford making it, but we will see.


For me three experienced HB is a good position to be in and we arnt even in SL yet!

Lingard says there's nothing in it.

I can't say I've ever seen Lino do anything massively impressive, I rated his performance against Warrington in the cup last year where he stood out but across a three year stretch it's no accolade.

However I am fairly excited to see him against SL opposition with presumably an improved and less injury riddled pack versus what we've had previously. You can see he's eager to run the ball and throw the little goose step, get a proper organiser with him in the halves and let's see what he can do.

That said I don't see Russell or Trueman as those types of halfback.

There hasn’t been anything in it for months and the numerous times it’s surfaced. Not sure why it’s go more traction this time.

I’m not a Lino fan. He’s good at this level but he’s not SL standard. I’ll be blunt about that. But so long as he’s a trinity player I hope he puts in some good performances and will continue to wish him success. He’s not short of effort at least.

Not much going for us then Timmy

Just to be clear as I don't know if you actually listened to his interview on the radio or just took a sentence from love rugby league, basically said he didn't know if there was someone at the club speaking with him but its the first he'd heard of it, some bloke called Danny at Cas lines up there signings. I would assume though that Lingard would be part of those conversations, especially with a HB, it would be worrying if not.

I was told a couple of months back that we were shopping a player around and he was on his way to Cas next year, I thought that was Lino, maybe they were initially interested but nothing comes of it or maybe our plans changed, who knows.

Lino was given a three year contract and throughout his time he has never had to worry about his place in the team as we have never had more than two credible halves. If he is with us next season he will be under pressure to retain his place. Plus if he plays he will also have a good half alongside him who may help improve his game. Therefore I am happy to wait and see what he can do next season.

Can't resist fighting Lino's corner - though I'm not going to do a very good job of it. Lino's a confidence player, which I don't like. You can't really afford to carry a half who's only on when he's on, and loses his head when you're down. But that can be coached out of players - Tony Smith has made a career of it. Lino has weaknesses in his game - his pass selection being the obvious one. And that's also crucial, especially in tight games. But it's also really noticeable, which is why I think he's a much better rounded half than people seem to give him credit.

He'd be horrible to defend against on your line - he's unpredictable (for better and for worse), can tie you up, get on your outside shoulder, make you commit to the tackle and then put it on a plate for a wide runner. His short kicking game is very good. His long kicking game decent too. He's good in broken field, backs up, and his defence is way above average for a half back. Before last year - when we were pure tripe all over the field - when he played well we usually won.

I actually think him and Gale are an excellent pairing - one dominant play caller, one more elusive runner. Russell will fill Gale's role - he hasn't had enough chance to prove it, but he's a general with a decent kicking game, much like Trueman if he comes (who I think is a superb player). Neither of them are game breakers, and for me we need someone who is. For now, much like Walmsley on the wing, I'd like to see how Lino goes next year. And if he's not up to it, we go back in for a better version of him.

If we do bring in Trueman too it's going to be a bit weird. There's no way Trueman would come to Wakefield to be rotated. And it sounds like Russell has been given assurances about kicking on and commanding a team. So if it's true, I guess Lino's on the bench or fighting for his spot.

Onto other business, most fans will know it's transfer deadline day tomorrow. Bower's written a great little article on LoveRugbyLeague, clearing up a few things. Namely you can't make any more loan deals after the deadline, and you can't send players out on dual reg unless they've already played 4 games for their partner club this season. I know that doesn't affect us, more thinking about our competitors.

So where does that leave us? Any signings you're expecting to see announced? Anywhere you'd like to see our squad strengthened with a loan? And if so, who?

Has Storton been formally announced? Any truth in the Matty Russell chat? If Lino or Gale get injured before the end of the season, is it officially Max to 7 and Walkmsley to 1? Interested in your thoughts.

Thank you for your input Mrs Lino!

Apart from the odd game, I've not rated him since he came here. No where near SL quality in my opinion, especially if we're aiming for top six or even top eight. I don't think he'd be a bad option as a third choice half to cover injuries, but it'd a waste of a quota spot if we did.

Haha I knew that was coming. Let me guess - "bring back Rocky"?

For his entire Wakefield career, Lino has been saddled with being partnered with Miller's headless chicken act so my main concern with Lino is that he didn't push Miller aside and take control as a dominant half. This season should have shown us what Lino is capable of but he seems to have some chronic conditions that need to be cleared up or shipped out. The clock is ticking on his opportunities to impress that he can do the job required of him.

Not for me. He's a full back not a half, and I'm happy with the one we've got. Although I do rate him, I think that ship has sailed.

2021 - We've signed Mason Lino to take over the organising which will free Jacob Miller up to play his natural game.

2023 - Now Jacob Miller gone Lino will take over the organising and he can be the main man.

Also 2023 - We've signed Luke Gale to take over the organising which will free Lino up to play his natural game.

Nearly four years in and we still don't know if he's an organising half or running half. If we have signed Trueman and Russell then Powell has probably decided it's neither.

I would like to see a halfback come in on loan or a utility. Someone like Hampshire. With Lawford out for season, Lino unknown for how long he’s out or could be out for and Gale effectively having to play every game with playoffs upcoming it’s not ideal. Unless the plan is for Jowitt to see out the season at 6. Someone like Hampshire would be a good option. I think we do need a loan half just to be safe. Or even manage Gale.

As for signings,

I’m don’t think signing for 2025 must be announced by the deadline. It’s more for remaining 2024 signings that need to be announced before tomorrow. So the likes of Storton/Russell etc can be announced anytime. The Storton one I would say could be just a matter of announcing. Less convinced on Marty Russell rumour.

It already is Walmsley to 1 and Jowitt to 7. You don’t need our thoughts because it’s already happened. That’s the position we find ourselves in. Jowitt is the best option.

Interesting take. I have always had Lino down as the headless chicken half with the skips across the line, the delayed or miss times passes and the only real play the crash ball onto a running second rower.

Interestingly Lino’s best game this season was the only time he’s been out on the left vs bulls.

With Field and French struggling I can't see Wigan letting him go any time soon. If anyone comes in this season I reckon it'll be Trueman.

Miller is a decent HB, Lino is the headless chicken, think you’re in a minority on that. In the few decent games we’ve had from Lino in the early days they were all when partnered by Miller. For me Lino just doesn’t have the smarts as. HB.

Agreed. I do actually think he would make a more decent 9 would Lino. Though past comments are he’s refused to play in that position.

I agree about the smarts. He doesn’t appear to organise plays or command the edges in the early tackle count to set up plays and it’s very off the cuff stuff which on the odd ocassion works but often he’s run out, takes it too close to the line and gets shut down or forced a pass that doesn’t amount to much.

Not sure where the kicking game comes from. He can get decent height on bombs but they’re not what I’d call well placed.

Me neither to be honest. There was rumour we had signed the Trueman show. Allegedly signed him and loaned him to FC for 4 weeks to join us for the run in this season. Would be a good move if true.

I think Lino's issues are as much about the team as him.
When Griffin plays, his double pump works. They took some time to get it going but it works now.
Others aren't there yet.

He's proved he can do it, like against Bradford when we were down on numbers.
We'll just have to see.

Miller never let Wakefield down ,was not quite the same player after he broke a bone against Wigan ,but still gave 100% and one of the better half we have had. Do not like how Lino gets all the stick for what as happened over the last few year Getting did of Hampshire and keeping Gaskell was a shocking move, letting Miller go to Cas was one more ,and all the time we have had Hood at 9 who as brought nothing to the attack of the spine .So my take on it lets get a attacking 9 and 6 and let's see how Lino goes .Leigh started of there season with there spine out they struggled ,they are back now and winning again because of the speed of there spine Wigan are struggling because the speed in there spine is out .Lino can not do it on is own and with the slow spine he has had this year to help him, think it unfair to blame him,and we have struggled more since he as been out injured .No I will get stick but unfair to blame one player for the last few year

So he can do it in a few games, in the championship, as long as he has players around him that could break a line with me passing them a ball like Griffin. He should be the stand out half back in the comp if we are thinking he is a first choice half for next year and he is a way off that. He's not good enough, simple.

His double pump doesn’t always work even with Griffin. It does sometimes but others it’s been too late and Griffin hasn’t taken it in or been caught with the ball. It does occasionally work.

At the bulls game he wasn’t on the side he regularly plays on. He was on the left and seemed to enjoy some success there as opposed to the right where moves regularly break down.

He proved he can do it but when i say few I’m being quite generous as it’s a handful of games over a couple of years. He’s more often proved that he struggles to initiate or control plays.

He’s with us though so hopefully we see more of his better performances. He’d be our best option now if he was fit.