Trainman wrote:
Rumours of NRL interest in Smith after his recent performances against the schoolboys.
Now I know the potential to get lambasted here but..........
I really think putting the kid in that environment would be superb for his development. We really struggle in this country no matter who the player or the club to bring on half back talent. It is obviously the weakest area our country has in terms of preparing the young lads for first team rugby, but then keep them improving while in the first team.
George Williams is a perfect example of this, yes he is still young but for the amount of not only first team but big game experience he now has he really should be a more consistent player than he currently is. Hopefully Lam can really impose himself on George as he has said he will and sharpen his game up to a point where he is back to tearing teams apart onm a regular basis. We need this for Wigans and Englands sake. When you look down under you see sides putting their aith in young halves like Brodie Croft, Nathan Cleary etc and they are not only playing but controlling games due to the coaching their ability deserved.
Admittedly I have only seen Smith in the two games but I was highly impressed and can see why your staff rate him so highly. I remember watching academy highlights and games when Williams and Hampshire were inthe academy and their sheer turn of pace and speedof thought was superb. This kid though seems to have the perfect all round game and apart form anything his defensive ability is a breath of fresh air for a young English half.
Probably me being selfish as an England fan and non Wigan fan, but the kid is a real talent and his junior club and Wigan academy staff should be really proud he is being talked of in this way. I wouldn't be surprised if Smithies was being looked at too as Smith controlled the game and the Leeds forwards terrorised their opposite numbers, Smithies for me was the glue that held the pack together and was phenomenal