Smith: Confidence in Ourselves

[josie andrews]

Harry Smith spoke to wiganwarriors.com ahead of Friday’s Round 9 visit to Warrington Wolves.

Smith: “They’ll be at their best, it’ll be a great game and hopefully another sell-out crowd.”

Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors, Friday 14th April (8pm K.O.). Get your tickets HERE.

Harry Smith says Wigan will have to stand strong defensively on Friday ahead of their Super League Round 9 visit to Warrington Wolves.

The Warriors will be looking to make it four consecutive Super League victories, after a strong win against St Helens last week. Harry Smith scored the opening try in that Good Friday victory, in front of a packed DW Stadium – something he says he’ll always remember.

“It was a very good win on Friday and we’ve taken a lot of confidence from the game,” Smith said

“We stuck together as a team and it’s given us that confidence ahead of another tough challenge this week. I don’t score many, which is something I’ve been looking to work on. To score in front of that many was a surreal moment and one that I’ll always remember. It was great doing my bit for the team and it was the whole team performance that got us the win.”

Smith has been ever present in the halves for Wigan this season, starting every game and becoming pivotal to the way the team plays through his kicking ability, being the Warriors’ highest points poster with 70 so far.

“I’m really enjoying it, having that big role in the team.”, said Smith, “Matt Peet has given me a lot of responsibility and put a lot of confidence in me and I’m really thankful for that. Hopefully, I can keep doing that for the team and keep getting these big wins.

“I think I’m developing well and I know I’ve got to keep working hard. I got a lot of experience last year playing a good run of games and starting in that number seven and being able to grab that shirt and, having been given a chance to do that, I can continue doing what I’ve been doing and keep playing well and kicking on.”

The Warriors’ trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium looks set to be a tough one, with Warrington so far maintaining a perfect Super League start with eight wins from eight, including a hard-fought victory against Catalans in France at the weekend. The Locker Cup will also be on the line on Friday, with Wigan looking to win their 34th trophy. Smith says he’s anticipating a difficult game against Daryl Powell’s side and says Wigan’s defence must be strong if they’re to get the win.

He said: “It’ll be a very tough game there. They’re the in-form team as we all know, and they’ve got some really good players who can create off the cuff. We know that we have to be on defensively if we want to win, and with the ball, it’s the same as last week – take it to them, finish well and put them under pressure.

“We’ve got to have confidence in ourselves, we know we’re a good team. We know we’ve got to bring our best if we want to do that against Warrington, we know it’s going to be a tough challenge. They’ll be at their best, it’ll be a great game and hopefully, another sell-out crowd.

“They’re a well-rounded team. They’ve got a very good pack, with some big bodies in there. Their backs are really fast and get those yards really well. I feel they’re a very good attacking team, so if our defence is on it, it will go a long way in helping us get the win.”

Wigan will be without a number of players for the clash on Friday, with Morgan Smithies missing out through suspension and Mike Cooper out for the season following an injury picked up against St Helens. Matt Peet has so far utilized the versatility of his squad with a number of positional rotations this season, something Smith says can benefit Wigan going into these types of games.

“The team and the squad are close, it’s always next man in and whoever is there is always going to do their job to the best of their ability,” he said

“There’s a bit of unpredictability there for the opposition, but we know that whichever player is in the team is going to do their best in that role. As Wigan always have, we’ve got some really good young lads. The lads who have been out on loan have been absolutely brilliant, so if they get their chance in the coming weeks, we know that they’ll be able to step up and we will support them.”

Tickets remain on sale for Friday’s game against Warrington! Get yours online HERE and get behind the boys at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/04/ ... ourselves/

[josie andrews]

I really do like the idea of Smith as a future captain, he never stops talking during a game, much more than Farrell, who is a token captain IMO, it’s a shame he only made captain in his later years.

I quite like the idea of a young captain from the Wigan Academy, eg Andy Farrell, Sean O’Loughlin, who spends his career as captain for the rest of their career at the greatest RL team Wigan Warriors

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors: Joe Shorrocks discusses his position against St Helens, the time he spent with Leigh Leopards, and this week's game against Warrington Wolves

Wigan Warriors’ Joe Shorrocks says he’s willing to do any job required in order to help the team.

The 23-year-old has recently returned to the club following a four-match loan spell with Leigh Leopards.

In last week’s Good Friday Derby, Shorrocks slotted into the halves following the injuries to Cade Cust and Jai Field.

“It was certainly a bit nerve-racking going into the game because I had never played that position before,” he said.

“I felt like I got a lot of confidence out of the coaching staff, and I felt like they had faith in me to do the job.

“I spoke to Harry (Smith) and Jai (Field) a lot throughout the week.

Those conversations helped me a lot.

“I want to lock down one position, but if the team needs me in different areas then I’m happy to do that and help in any way I can.

“I’m taking it week by week, but with Custy (Cade Cust) and Jai being injured I’ve got a few more games in the halves.

“Hopefully I can show more of what I can do in each match.

Spending time with Leigh helped my confidence.

“I wanted to prove a point and show that I am capable of playing in Super League.

“It was good to get some game time, because that’s what I needed.

“If I had come into my first match without that then I don’t think I would’ve performed as well as I did.”

The Warriors head to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday night to take on Warrington Wolves (K.O. 8pm).

Daryl Powell’s side sit top of the Super League table, and remain unbeaten this season.

“They’re the in-form team in the competition but hopefully we can have another good performance,” Shorrocks added.

They obviously had a down season last year so they wanted to improve on that- and they certainly have so far.

“They’ve made some good signings, so I’m not surprised to see where they are.

“They’re a good team so hopefully we can match them.

“We’ve taken confidence out of beating Saints because they’ve been the in-form team in the competition in the last four years.

They obviously had a down season last year so they wanted to improve on that- and they certainly have so far.

“They’ve made some good signings, so I’m not surprised to see where they are.

“They’re a good team so hopefully we can match them.

“We’ve taken confidence out of beating Saints because they’ve been the in-form team in the competition in the last four years.

“We are just taking each game as it comes, and we’ll take each opponent one by one

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... es-4100837

[PJC]

A few posts ago I stated that I would like some longer term contracts. Some pointed out that in today’s market short term contracts are the way forward. What I was really implying is that I would like to see a good player being at the club for the majority of their career if appropriate . Why I can hear some asking ? I believe that amongst other advantages loyalty encourages the same in others.

[Gaznier]

Sharrocks is a Coaches dream.

[josie andrews]

Sharrocks is a Coaches dream.

Shorrocks even

[josie andrews]

A few posts ago I stated that I would like some longer term contracts. Some pointed out that in today’s market short term contracts are the way forward. What I was really implying is that I would like to see a good player being at the club for the majority of their career if appropriate . Why I can hear some asking ? I believe that amongst other advantages loyalty encourages the same in others.

I agree with that.