WAKEFIELD TRINITY have received a transfer fee from Perth Bears for hooker Tyson Smoothy, coach Daryl Powell has confirmed.
Smoothy will join the NRL newcomers at the end of the season, only a third of the way through the three-year contract he signed when moving to Wakefield from Brisbane Broncos.
The 27-year-old, who has made 21 appearances to help the club rise to second place in the Super League table, will be replaced in next season’s squad by Burleigh Bears’ Cook Islands international Mason Teague.
Powell said: “We’re disappointed he’s leaving because he’s fitted in really well, gradually got better throughout the year and is playing really well for us, but it’s a family thing from his perspective.
“We have got a fee from Perth – once we found out what Tyson wanted to do, we worked hard to make sure the club didn’t lose out.
“Now we want an outstanding finish to the season and for Tyson to have a great impact on us as we aim for something special.”
In 23-year-old Teague, Powell is satisfied Wakefield have an adequate replacement.
“We wanted a player who is similar to his (Smoothy’s) style and fits into way we play.
“Harvey (Smith, second-choice hooker) is a big part of that, getting the balance. I feel with Mason and Harvey it will be a similar connection.
“We ticked all the boxes we needed to (with Teague) – we think we can help him to grow, he’s a talented young guy and we’re looking forward to bringing him on board when the time comes.”
Teague is Wakefield’s fourth addition for next season, joining New Zealand Warriors’ superstar back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, St George Illawarra Dragons prop Emre Guler and loose-forward Cameron Smith from Leeds Rhinos.
And Powell said their recruitment was “pretty much done” with “maybe one or two (more signings), but not much.”
In the shorter term, Wakefield will give captain Mike McMeeken as long as possible to prove his fitness after a back complaint in last Friday’s win against Castleford Tigers.
Trinity head to another of McMeeken’s former clubs, Catalans Dragons, on Saturday.
They are still without forward Seth Niketemo, who is back home in Australia for personal reasons.