Seven Out: Wakefield Trinity Confirm 2026 Departures Led by Mason Lino
Wakefield Trinity have confirmed seven players will leave the club at the end of the 2026 Betfred Super League season, headlined by Samoa international half-back Mason Lino.
The 32-year-old departs Belle Vue after five seasons, having made just under 130 appearances since arriving from Australian side Newcastle Knights. Lino was instrumental in Wakefield's promotion back to Super League in 2024, the top flight of English rugby league, but missed large parts of the 2025 campaign through injury. He had signed a contract extension in May 2023 that ran until the end of this season (BBC Sport).
The club's official announcement, titled "Trinity Confirm 2026 Departures" and published on 30 August, sets out the full list of names moving on (Wakefield Trinity).
Centre Cam Scott is among those heading out and is set to join Bradford Bulls. Hooker Tyson Smoothy — the player who feeds the scrum and links forwards and backs — is returning to the NRL, the Australian premier competition, with the Perth Bears. Australian back Lachlan Walmsley also leaves after crossing for 18 Super League tries across the past two seasons (BBC Sport).
Second-rower Jay Pitts is ending his second spell at the club. Now 36, Pitts first started his Wakefield career as a teenager back in 2008 before joining Leeds Rhinos a year later. He returned to Belle Vue and spent six years at the club after re-signing from London Broncos. Will Tate and Noah High round out the seven; both have been told their contracts will not be extended beyond the current season (BBC Sport).
For a club that fought its way back into Super League, losing a half-back of Lino's experience — the playmaker who directs the team around the park — alongside try-scorers and a veteran forward leaves plenty of rebuilding work for Trinity's recruitment team. Seven departures at once is a sizeable turnover, and how quickly the incoming players gel will shape how Wakefield fare in 2027.
