: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:08 am  

Thought I read in this week's League Express (Martyn Sadler?) that Smith to Wasps was a done deal?

Given that Smith was beginning to perform consistenly well if it's true that he's off we will be seriously short of class in the threequarters.

Or did I imagine the whole thing.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:19 am  

rpw wrote:

That's my fear also.

That's not the full situation though.
Smith was in and out of the team and made a point of being unhappy about it (around the time of the off field buisness) at which point he was told if he wasn't happy he could speak to other club's 1 of which were wigan.
Who we are led to believe made an offer which was rejected by smithy who then knuckled down and earned his place in the starting 13 again at which point GH and Bluey were happy for him to stay!!
So we weren't actually offering him to anyone but gave him that option to leave because he was "unhappy" being in and out of the team and made that point.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:25 am  

rhinoms wrote:

That's not the full situation though.
Smith was in and out of the team and made a point of being unhappy about it (around the time of the off field buisness) at which point he was told if he wasn't happy he could speak to other club's 1 of which were wigan.
Who we are led to believe made an offer which was rejected by smithy who then knuckled down and earned his place in the starting 13 again at which point GH and Bluey were happy for him to stay!!
So we weren't actually offering him to anyone but gave him that option to leave because he was "unhappy" being in and out of the team and made that point.

I dont understand what you are saying there.

Smith started off last season just the same as this. Difference is he was rotated with a less talented player (at the time) in Hall, because Bluey was trying to decide what his best formation was.

Smith was better thatn other players in the team, who were not rotated in this way. He then had off field problems, Not his own making, but his families. The club took him out of the limelight, which frustrated Smith. Had it would have done with any other player, and indeed any one of you posting on here.

Wigan approached Leeds to sign him. Leeds decided, yes let him go, and let Wigan talk to Smith. Smith did not want to leave Leeds, so nothing further materialized.

Hetherington realized come end of season it would have been one of his biggest cockups had Smith actually left, and now he is one of the most valuable members of team.

What happens, next we will see in June. Personally, I just cant see him leaving, but nor could I see Scruton going either.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:33 am  

DISA wrote:

I dont understand what you are saying there.

Smith started off last season just the same as this. Difference is he was rotated with a less talented player (at the time) in Hall, because Bluey was trying to decide what his best formation was.

Smith was better thatn other players in the team, who were not rotated in this way. He then had off field problems, Not his own making, but his families. The club took him out of the limelight, which frustrated Smith. Had it would have done with any other player, and indeed any one of you posting on here.

Wigan approached Leeds to sign him. Leeds decided, yes let him go, and let Wigan talk to Smith. Smith did not want to leave Leeds, so nothing further materialized.

Hetherington realized come end of season it would have been one of his biggest cockups had Smith actually left, and now he is one of the most valuable members of team.

What happens, next we will see in June. Personally, I just cant see him leaving, but nor could I see Scruton going either.

What i'm saying is that because smith said he was unhappy he was given the option to leave which imo doesn't equate to the club being disloyal in any way!!
GH only changed his mind when smith re-earned his starting spot and remained consistent,hindsight is a great thing and smithy to his credit knuckled down and showed great form.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:35 am  

Highbury Rhino wrote:

Thought that Smith to Wasps was a done deal?

it is

[Frosties.]

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:52 am  

Bruce wrote:

it is

Your not the only one.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:19 pm  

The yorkshire evening post think it's a done deal

From the article about Lee being out of Fridays squad

"Smith - who is ironically set to join Wasps rugby union club next season - suffered the bite on Saturday and started a course of treatment from the club doctor on Monday.The swelling on his knee had not subsided by yesterday and he underwent surgery to drain an abscess from the infection".

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:50 pm  

rhinoms wrote:

GH only changed his mind when smith re-earned his starting spot and remained consistent,hindsight is a great thing and smithy to his credit knuckled down and showed great form.

Smith did nothing on the field to lose his spot in the first place. Therefore there was no need to re-earn it either. There were off-field issues but whether they formed any part in his not playing appear pure speculation.

mightyzeus wrote:

The yorkshire evening post think it's a done deal

Either he goes or the YEP will have enough egg on their face to feed the entire supporter base.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:57 pm  

mightyzeus wrote:

The yorkshire evening post think it's a done deal

From the article about Lee being out of Fridays squad

"Smith - who is ironically set to join Wasps rugby union club next season - suffered the bite on Saturday and started a course of treatment from the club doctor on Monday.The swelling on his knee had not subsided by yesterday and he underwent surgery to drain an abscess from the infection".

The YEP seem to be certain its a done deal... they'll look silly if it's not a done deal thats why i think they are correct.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:22 pm  

at what point will the club confirm/deny whether Smith is actually off to wasps? Surely the speculation will cause more unrest in the squad compared to actually announcing that he is leaving then the rhinos can concentrate on winning just like last season when ellis was leaving.