The clips of him I've seen show he can certainly play.
And an accomplished goal kicker too.

FWIW I think we dodged a bullet with Williams. I never thought he was much good last time and now he's two years older with little game time. No idea about this guy but our overseas signings have been pretty decent in recent years. Welcome aboard.

I'd guess, that with him being at Newcastle Knights, we may have taken some feedback from Colin Sanctuary on signing Lino.

Let's be positive.

Anybody got access to the article to post the content, not gonna subscibe just for this.

If confirmed, welcome him with open arms and hope he can be the leader we need.
I did not really notice any defensive frailties this season, some good hits on the big guys- although defence is important in all positions, its not the first thing I would look for in a half.

I have seen every game he played during the current season with Newcastle and based on what I have observed his defence is indeed lacking and he likes to jump the defensive line. With Newcastle he defends on the left and I have not seen any obvious game running skills or long kicking game but that may be due to the instructions he received at Newcastle.
I am willing to see how he goes but I would suggest that some will need to give him time which was not granted to Williams.

Obviously read what Vasty said then.....

The poster was partly right in that SL is less physical due to most players being a normal size, so smaller players don't get quite as battered. However, if you don't know how to defend ie be in position and execute the tackle correctly you'll be found out in SL as much as the NRL.

The first thing most NRL recruits say is that SL is tougher than they expected.

That said it's one posters opinion.

A lot of Knighrs fans seem to think he will kill it over here, which is promising.

Let's hope he does, and if he does, let's hope we can keep hold of him

Why wouldn't we, it's 3 year deal as far as I can tell.

Must admit I like him as a player and was surprised when NZ Warriors let him go as I think he's better than Tevita-Harris. That said Knights have loads of halves...Pearce, mann, green, watson, hoy so he was up against it and suffered in terms of game time...I'm hoping he'll benefit from a decent run of games and additional responsibility but he will need time to settle in...good luck Mason & welcome to Waky

So Miller, Hampshire, Lino for the halves. Jowitt, Hampshire for FB. I can see either Gigot or Walker being loaned to the new SL club or maybe both.

Must admit I haven't seen much of this lad, saw him a couple times for the Warriors a few years back and he looked a really good prospect.

As Vasty said, lets give him a chance to actually play before we judge him, players take on different roles in different teams, it`s no use looking at his organisational skills and long kicking game in a side that has Mitchell Pearce in it, he will obviously take the reins in the coaches plans.

Comes with a good wrap from Newcastle fans which is always good (Aussie fans are notoriously ruthless when it comes to judging players) and also a 3 year deal fills me with confidence that the club 1. Think he is the right choice for us and 2. We are building for the future, rather than just looking at next year.

With player recruitment looking good and the positive stadium news dare I say I am feeling very positive about the next couple of years.

Also confirmed on Wiki!

Must be true then

Only reason I said it was with the scenario in mind he has a good season and half or so with us, then some club with a big fat cheque book come sniffing around. It has happened before, but would like to think that is becoming a thing of the past

It definitely is as shown with Tanginoa, don't think we've lost a single player that we really wanted to keep since Carter took over. Money talks and there comes apoint where you can't say no but these days we actively fight to keep what we have, you can't ask for more.

I like the way the Knights fans refer to him as a 'midget'! His stats state he is 5'9'', not a midget for a HB. I know there are some monsters in the NRL but I think he's big enough to survive either comp. God knows what they would think of Hampshire or the Wood twins

For me, would love For him to turn out to be our very own version of a younger Albert kelly . Who ever thought he was anyone when her signed him?
Might just be what we need right now and let’s be honest we’d have snapped Kelly’s hand off if he’s have been available to us right now after last season.

If his defence is up to scratch then he should be ok.

Just hope he doesn't get walked on every week by the big guys.

I'll get me coat.

Give the lad some time to settle in to our style of play and I’m sure he’ll reward us with plenty of quality plays and here’s hoping we’ve unearthed another gem who’s gone under the radar, and going to rip it up over here .

That lino me mam had in the kitchen got walked on regular and stood up well, lets hope he does the same.

I suppose Lino will be one of these players that turns up in his rolls and spends all the game laid out on the floor...................I'll get mi coit!!!

From the comment by a sports journo at the Newcastle Herald he sounds like just the player we need;

"An organising playmaker with good kicking game and outstanding goal kicker. Lovely bloke as well."

That'll get coached out of him.....