Wakefield Trinity have moved quickly to fill the gap left by star hooker Tyson Smoothy’s impending return to the NRL.

Betfred Super League’s second-placed club today (Monday) announced the signing of Australian-born number nine/loose-forward Mason Teague on a two-year deal beginning next season. He will replace Smoothy whose departure to Perth Bears in 2027 was confirmed this morning.

Teague, 23, is currently with Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears, but made eight appearances in the southern hemisphere NRL with Brisbane-based Dolphins in 2023-24. He was a junior at Penrith Panthers, has also featured in the second-tier New South Wales Cup for Newcastle Knights and trained with Brisbane Broncos, as well being capped five times by Cook Islands.

Teague - Wakefield’s fourth recruit for next year, following Cameron Smith, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Emre Guler - said: “I’m really excited to come over to Super League for the next two seasons. Wakefield are an incredibly strong club who are really going places and going well this year and I hope I can add to that.

New Wakefield Trinity signing Mason Teague is tackled during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session in February. Picture by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

placeholder image — New Wakefield Trinity signing Mason Teague is tackled during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session in February. Picture by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

"With the signings the club have made for next season, I know this club can kick on again. I know the fan base at Wakefield really gets behind the team and I can’t wait to meet all the fans.”

Wakefield Trinity promise 'exciting signing news' as star Tyson Smoothy's move t...

Trinity coach Daryl Powell insisted: “We believe in Mason we have found the perfect fit for our team and the way we play. He’s a quality player and is right at the top of all of our data analysis.

“He comes highly recommended from all the character references we have gathered from Australia and we’re delighted to bring him to Wakefield Trinity to continue the development of what we believe is an outstanding team of not just now, but the future.”

New Wakefield Trinity signing Mason Teague seen playing for the Dolphins during an NRL pre-season challenge match against North Queensland Cowboys in February last year. Picture by Emily Barker/Getty Images.

Wakefield director of rugby Ste Mills added: “Mason is someone that has been top of our list to bring over to the club for a while now and when we started looking at our future in the nine position, he was the first player we wanted.

“His transition into the nine position over the last 18 months has been nothing short of great and we see a lot of development in his game. From talking to Mason and his partner, we know we’ve made the correct decision and I can’t wait to see him over here in 2027.”