Wakefield Trinity still have no fresh news on Tyson Smoothy’s future, with coach Daryl Powell saying the club are no closer to sorting an exit if the hooker does end up back in Australia. Powell said Wakefield have not yet worked through the situation and added that there was no further update on it.
That is why Smoothy’s name is being searched now. Wakefield are due to face Hull KR on Saturday afternoon at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, and the uncertainty around one of their major signings has become a live issue before kick-off rather than a summer footnote. Smoothy joined Wakefield at the start of this season on a three-year deal, but earlier this season he told the club he was keen to explore a return to Australia at the end of this season for family reasons.
Powell’s latest comments do not point to a breakthrough. Asked about the situation, he said: “We haven’t worked through that yet. We’ll see where that gets to but I’ve got no further news on that yet.” For Wakefield, that means the basic question remains unanswered: whether Smoothy will stay through the rest of his contract or whether a path back to the NRL can be found before the season is out.
The detail that matters most sits in the contract. Wakefield say no release clause for a return to the NRL was inserted when Smoothy signed, and they would be entitled to a fee if he found a suitable club in Australia. The club are understood to be keen to protect that position, which is why the talks matter even before any move is in place.
Perth Bears have already emerged as the likely destination to watch, with the new NRL club interested in Smoothy for their inaugural playing squad in the 2027 season. That has left Wakefield weighing up a practical problem as much as a sporting one. If he leaves, they would probably need to look overseas for a replacement, even with young hooker Harvey Smith tipped for a bright future at the club.
For now, nothing has shifted. Smoothy still wants to explore the possibility of going home, Wakefield still want to hold their contractual line, and Powell is still waiting for the first real sign that a deal is close. Until one of those positions changes, the uncertainty around one of Wakefield Trinity’s key players will keep following them into the next round.
