Smith confirms Wakefield’s half-back hunt
Wakefield Wildcats are on the hunt for another half-back to boost their playmaking stocks ahead of the 2016 season, coach Brian Smith has confirmed.
The Wildcats have brought in Liam Finn from Castleford to partner Jacob Miller in the halves next year. They also have Jordan Tansey who can fill in at stand-off, but who is primarily a full-back or centre.
Smith maintains that he “has his eye on” a young half to complement Finn and Miller, as well as Tansey.
“As time goes on we hope we’re going to have another half to come in and work with that threesome,” he said.
“A younger guy we’ve got our eye on, we just haven’t got there yet.
“But I think each of the guys that we’ve brought in have got something to offer to our team.”
Finn has returned to the Wildcats 10 years after leaving the club. The 32-year old Irish international is vastly experienced and has played a key role in Castleford’s revival over the past two seasons.
“We think Liam is a good fit for our club, but he’s a particularly good fit for ‘Milky’ [Miller],” Smith said.
“Jacob’s had an outstanding season, he took off in the middle part and the back end of the season.
“He’s an exciting talent but he needs, well we feel, he needs a composed, more experienced type halfback to help him develop fully.
“One day ‘Milky’ will be able to do the jobs Liam can.
“Unfortunately Liam’s never going to be to be able to do what ‘Milky’ can, but that’s the way of the world.”
Half-back Tim Smith was sacked in October by Wakefield and has retired from rugby league and returned to Australia.
Brian Smith coached Tim Smith at Parramatta when he first broke into the NRL as a 19-year old in 2005.
The scrum-half had a colourful career with stints at the Eels, Wigan, Cronulla, Wakefield and Salford.
The Trinity coach admits he feels somewhat sorry for the 2005 Dally M Rookie of the Year,
“He’s a very talented attacking player, Tim, and he was from the start,” the Wildcats head coach said.
“He still had a lot of the tricks left at the back end.
“I feel a bit sorry and a bit sad for him but you know, it is what it is.”