Wakefield Trinity in market for hooker after granting Tyson Smoothy release
Wakefield Trinity are in the market for a hooker after giving Tyson Smoothy the green light to head home at the end of the Super League campaign.
The Australian arrived from Brisbane Broncos on a three-year deal in the off-season but has secured a release just months into his stay at Belle Vue due to personal reasons.
Smoothy has been a standout performer for Daryl Powell's side in recent weeks, underlining his importance with an influential display at half-back in the impressive win over Hull KR.
Powell is philosophical about the loss of the NRL Grand Final winner.
"It's cut and dried," said the Trinity boss, confirming Smoothy's departure. "That has been done for a few weeks now.
"We have moved on from it. We know what’s happening and so does he. I think that’s important. Then he can settle down and just get on with his rugby.
"It's family-related. I think he is enjoying his time here, for sure, but sometimes there are bigger things at play."
Harvey Smith has made 43 appearances since Wakefield's return to Super League to establish himself as a regular in Powell's side.
However, at only 20, Smith will be supported by a senior hooker again next season once Trinity secure Smoothy's replacement.
"He is class, Harv," said Powell. "I think he has grown immeasurably, both physically and mentally.
"He's never going to be the tallest, you get what you’re born with with that, but he's fast, tough, brave and can score tries.
"The penny has dropped with him on a couple of bits of his game over the last three or four weeks so that has been great to see. He’s an 80-minute player of the future but he can’t quite do it yet and I wouldn’t want to ask him to.
"He is going to have to grow into that so we will sign a player. We know what we're doing there. It's just a matter of time before we talk about that."