Mason Lino
{{short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Mason "Mase" Lino
|fullname = Mason Gustav Lino
|image = Mason Lino Warriors.jpg
|imagesize = 290
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|2|4}}
|birth_place = Apia, Samoa
|death_date =
|death_place =
|height = {{convert|1.75|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}[https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/newcastle-knights/mason-lino/ Mason Lino] newcastleknights.com.au
|weight = {{convert|84|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|position = {{rlp|SH|SO}}
|club1 = {{nowrap|New Zealand Warriors}}
|year1start = 2015
|year1end = 18
|appearances1 = 17
|tries1 = 3
|goals1 = 16
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 44
|club2 = Newcastle Knights
|year2start = 2019
|year2end = 20
|appearances2 = 17
|tries2 = 2
|goals2 = 48
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 104
|club3 = Wakefield Trinity
|year3start = 2021
|year3end = present
|appearances3 = 99
|tries3 = 15
|goals3 = 170
|fieldgoals3 = 2
|points3 = 378
|teamA = Samoa
|yearAstart = 2016
|yearAend = 19
|appearancesA = 3
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 3
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 6
|new = yes
|retired = no
|updated = 21 October 2024
}}
Mason Lino (born 4 February 1994) is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|sh}} and {{rlp|so}} for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League and Samoa at the international level.
He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors and the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
Background
Lino was born in Apia, Samoa.
Early years
Lino was a Marist Saints junior and attended Avondale College.[http://www.warriors.kiwi/team/profiles/mason-lino.html Mason Lino] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022214108/http://www.warriors.kiwi/team/profiles/mason-lino.html |date=22 October 2017 }} warriors.kiwi
Lino is of Samoan and Chinese descent.{{cite web|url=http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=45759|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014022307/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=45759|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 October 2012|title=China set for Rugby League - rleague.com|date=14 October 2012|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2018}}
Playing career
=2012=
Lino trialled for the New Zealand Warriors' NYC squad in 2012, earning a place in the squad. He finished the season as the team's top points-scorer with 144 points in 23 games. He attended an NRL rookie camp on the 24 and 25 November 2012.[http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=46138 Junior Warriors at NRL Annual Rookie Camp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115041/http://rleague.com/content/article.php?id=46138 |date=2 April 2015 }} rleague.com, 23 November 2012
=2013=
Lino scored 147 points for the Junior Warriors in 2013, taking his total to 281 from 41 appearances. The side lost the 2013 Holden Cup Grand Final 30–42. He also played for the Junior Kiwis in their 26–38 defeat by the Junior Kangaroos on 13 October 2013.
He was named in the Samoan train-on squad for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.rlwc2013.com/rugby-league-world-news/article/1111/samoa-name-strong-train-on-squad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923232823/http://www.rlwc2013.com/rugby-league-world-news/article/1111/samoa-name-strong-train-on-squad|url-status=usurped|archive-date=23 September 2013|title=Samoa name strong train-on squad|publisher=RLWC2013|date=19 September 2013|accessdate=31 March 2017}} He did not make the squad after the cut to 25 players.[http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/19512/9009531/rugby-league-world-cup-samoa-call-up-new-salford-star-tony-puletua Samoa call up new Salford star Tony Puletua] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109055913/http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/19512/9009531/rugby-league-world-cup-samoa-call-up-new-salford-star-tony-puletua |date=9 November 2013 }} skysports.com, 5 November 2013
=2014=
In 2014, he co-captained the Junior Warriors Holden Cup team in their 34–32 grand final victory over the Brisbane Broncos, kicking five conversions out of six and finishing the match on the pitch despite suffering a partial shoulder dislocation.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/63238867/Warriors-offer-young-star-Mason-Lino-a-lifeline|title=Warriors offer young star Mason Lino a lifeline|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=16 November 2014|accessdate=5 January 2016}} He finished his Holden Cup career with 503 points from 62 appearances, becoming the third most-capped Junior Warrior behind Ben Henry and John Palavi.[http://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2015/08/21/late_mail_lino_to_ma.html Late Mail:Lino to Make NRL Debut] warriors.kiwi
=2015=
Lino had signed with AS Carcassonne for the 2015 season, but the contract was cancelled after his shoulder dislocation in the 2014 Holden Cup grand final. Instead, Lino re-signed with the Warriors, for 2015, to play in their New South Wales Cup squad.
He made his NRL debut on 22 August 2015 against the North Queensland Cowboys, replacing an injured Chad Townsend.{{cite web| url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/71337511/chad-townsend-replaced-by-mason-lino-for-warriors-game-against-cowboys| title=Chad Townsend replaced by Mason Lino for Warriors game against Cowboys| publisher=stuff.co.nz| date=21 August 2015| accessdate=21 August 2015}}
=2016=
On 8 October, Lino made his international debut for Samoa in their test match against Fiji in Apia.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/314855/sport-anticipation-building-in-apia-for-toa-v-bati-test |title=Sport: Anticipation building in Apia for Toa v Bati test |publisher=RNZ |date=4 October 2016 |access-date=5 November 2022}}
=2017=
Lino played for the Warriors in the 2017 NRL Auckland Nines.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/89096844/jarryd-hayne-shows-class-as-titans-kick-off-auckland-nines-in-style|title=Warriors have no regrets over resting stars despite early exit from Nines|publisher=Stuff|date=4 February 2017|accessdate=31 March 2017}}
In June, Lino signed a further two-year contract, committing both parties until the end of the 2019 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2017/06/12/_signings_new_deals_.html|title=[Signings] New deals for six|first=NRL Digital|last=Media|date=13 June 2017 |publisher=|accessdate=9 December 2018}}
On 28 August 2017, Lino was named in The 2017 Intrust Super Premiership NSW team of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/08/28/_2017_team_of_the_ye_1478769739.html|title=2017 Team Of The Year – ISP NSW|date=28 August 2017|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2018}}
=2018=
Lino played in 8 NRL games for the Warriors in the 2018 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTAtMTcxNy00LS0tLS0tMjIwMTgtLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List – Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org|accessdate=25 September 2018}} In September, he signed a 2-year contract with the Newcastle Knights starting in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.zerotackle.com/lino-becomes-a-knight-36897/|title=Lino becomes a Knight – Zero Tackle|date=25 September 2018|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2018}}
=2019=
In Lino's first season for the Knights, he debuted in round 4 against the St. George Illawarra Dragons. He played 12 games for the Knights, scored two tries and kicked 33 goals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTUtMTg4NC00LS0tLS0tMjIwMTgtLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List – Rugby League Project|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org}}
=2020=
In 2020, Lino only managed to play in five games for Newcastle before being released at the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTUtMTk2NS00LS0tLS0tMjIwMTgtLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List – Rugby League Project|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2020/11/09/signings-tracker-knights-deals-and-departures-for-2021/|title=Signings tracker: Knights deals and departures for 2021|date=17 November 2020|website=Newcastle Knights}}
In November, he signed a three-year contract with Super League side Wakefield Trinity starting in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7026734/ex-knight-mason-lino-signs-with-wakefield-in-english-super-league/|title=Ex-Knight Mason Lino signs with Wakefield in English Super League|first=Barry|last=Toohey|date=24 November 2020|website=Newcastle Herald}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/12164327/super-league-the-nrl-recruits-moving-to-these-shores-for-the-2021-season/|title=The NRL recruits moving to these shores for the 2021 season|website=www.skysports.com}}
=2021=
Lino played 24 games for Wakefield Trinity in the 2021 Super League season as the club finished 10th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/12415217/terry-oconnors-2021-betfred-super-league-season-review/|title=Terry O'Connor's 2021 Betfred Super League season review|website=www.skysports.com}}
=2022=
Lino played 24 games for Wakefield Trinity in the 2022 Super League season which saw the club narrowly avoid relegation as they finished 10th.{{cite web|url=https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/3103/2022-season-review-wakefield-trinity/|title=Wakefield Trinity 2022 Super League season|website=www.superleague.co.uk}}
=2023=
Lino played 22 games for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League XXVIII season as the club finished bottom of the table and were relegated to the RFL Championship which ended their 24-year stay in the top flight.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/20876/12962152/super-league-wakefield-trinity-relegated-after-loss-at-leigh-leopards-st-helens-and-wigan-warriors-win/|title=Super League: Wakefield Trinity relegated after loss at Leigh Leopards, St Helens and Wigan Warriors win|website=www.skysports.com}}
=2024=
Lino played 19 games for Wakefield in the 2024 RFL Championship season as the club won all three trophies which were the 1895 Cup, the league leaders shield and RFL Championship grand final.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cqjr5lvxk4lo/|title=Jowitt breaks points record as Wakefield cruise to Grand Final win|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}
=Honours=
=Wakefield Trinity=
- RFL 1895 Cup: 2024
- RFL Championship Leaders' Shield: 2024
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Goals !FGs !Pts |
| 2015
| rowspan="3" | New Zealand Warriors |3 | | | | |
| 2017
|6 | |2 | |4 |
| 2018
|8 |3 |14 | |40 |
| 2019
| rowspan="2" | Newcastle Knights |12 |2 |33 | |74 |
| 2020
|5 | |15 | |30 |
| 2021
| rowspan="4" | Wakefield Trinity |24 |6 |76 |1 |177 |
| 2022
|24 |2 |47 | |102 |
| 2023
|23 | |12 |1 |25 |
| 2024
|19 |6 |23 | |70 |
| 2025
| | | | | | |
| |Totals
|121 |18 |222 |2 |518 |
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/newcastle-knights/mason-lino/ Newcastle Knights profile]
- [https://www.warriors.kiwi/teams/telstra-premiership/warriors/mason-lino/ New Zealand Warriors profile]
- [http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/14/playerid/5300/seasonid/45/default.aspx NRL profile]
{{Wakefield Trinity squad}}
{{New Zealand Warriors squad - 2014 NYC premiers}}
{{2017 Intrust Super Premiership NSW Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lino, Mason}}
Category:Marist Saints players
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Chinese descent
Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby union players in England
Category:New Zealand Warriors players
Category:Newcastle Knights players
Category:People educated at Avondale College
Category:Rugby league five-eighths
Category:Rugby league halfbacks
Category:Rugby league players from Apia
Category:Samoa national rugby league team players
Category:Samoan emigrants to New Zealand
Category:Samoan people of Chinese descent