New deal for Mariano

Wakefield have handed a new one-year deal to back-rower Frankie Mariano.

Mariano, 25, joined the club from Hull KR at the beginning of last season, and has gone on to make 36 Super League appearances for the Wildcats.

He said: “It’s great that I’ve got a new contract and hopefully I can start next year how I have finished this year. I have finally found my feet now and it was injuries and performances that kept me out but now I’m being consistent and that’s how I want to start next year.”

The new deal for Mariano follows on from contract renewals for the likes of Paul Aiton, Tim Smith and Ali Lauitiiti, while the Wildcats also recently signed Lee Smith on a permanent basis.

Coach Richard Agar added: “He has had a stop-start year and he wasn’t hitting the levels that we needed him to hit for him to be a player that would contribute enough for our team.

“We laid some challenges down to him five or six weeks ago and he has now totally gone the other way and was once again one of our best players last week. He’s breaking the line but more importantly he’s got one or two defensive issues sorted up so that’s great for Frank, he’s really earned his new deal.”

Wakefield play Salford at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, where a win will secure their play-off berth.