Ace Of Mase

Lino’s derby Wake-up call

- Gareth Walker

Mason Lino grew up dreaming of becoming an All Black – now he is focused on ending a six-year West Yorkshire derby drought.

The Wakefield playmaker idolised rugby union stars Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer as a youngster in New Zealand, having moved from Samoa before starting school.

It was Kiwi rugby league legend Stacey Jones who helped change his sporting path, which this year has led him to the north of England.

Lino explained: “I started playing league pretty late at about 16.

“I grew up wanting to be an All Black – it was always Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer.

“But then I started to watch a bit of league and I remember seeing Stacey Jones scoring for New Zealand Warriors in the Grand Final against the Roosters.

“Eventually a mate talked me into going to a league training session.”