Budding carpenter and Wakefield captain Jacob Miller reckons he and new arrival Mason Lino can help Trinity turn the screw on opposing sides this season.
The halfbacks played alongside each other for the first time in a Super League game as Chris Chester’s side pushed Leeds close before going down 28-22 on Saturday.
Former Wests Tigers player Miller, 28, has been a stalwart performer since moving along the M62 from Hull in 2015.
While he’s looking to a future beyond Rugby League, and has started a carpentry apprenticeship, he’s still focused on further improving himself as a player.
With Wakefield old boy Danny Brough out injured, Chester was concerned Miller had to take on too much responsibility last season.
“At times, we went into games with only one recognised halfback and we were having to play guys like Max Jowitt and Ryan Hampshire out of position there,” said the coach.
Chester believes the presence of 27-year-old Samoa international Lino, signed from Newcastle Knights on a three-year contract, will help ease the burden.
“Having another established halfback in the team to get us around the pitch I think will certainly make Milky’s job a lot easier,” he added.
“Now he can just play his own game and he’s got a calming influence inside him.”
Miller agrees, explaining: “I think Mase and I can build a good partnership.
“His arrival has helped free me up a bit. I had to take extra responsibility in the last few years, which perhaps doesn’t suit my game.
“But with Mason alongside me, I hope to run the ball a bit more.”
Only Hull KR finished below Wakefield last season, when Trinity lost 14 of their 19 top-flight matches, and Miller accepts a big improvement is needed.
“We know we need to be much better, and we know we can be, but we’ve been far too inconsistent,” he said.
“As captain, I want us to be in and around the top six in July to give ourselves a chance of making the play-offs.”
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