Morgan Smithies set for NRL move as Wigan Warriors forward heads down under

[Blackpool_Pie]

I wish him well. I may be out of step, but isn’t he simply an effective work horse. How many tries does he score, or create and how many clean breaks? He might have developed into a ball playing 13, but he might not. I think the club has shown since Peet took over that it knows exactly what it’s doing. If Thompson gets the 13 jersey that will be a massive massive step up.

He is, but who does it better?

Morgan Knowles did the same at Saints during their recent reign of 4 grand finals in a row and he got in the dream team 4 years running.

His link play was getting better and better and he carries a lot on 3rd or 4th tackle a lot when we are in an arm wrestle. Not to mention his ridiculous tackle stats. We will see how much he did for this team next season

[josie andrews]

I wish him well. I may be out of step, but isn’t he simply an effective work horse. How many tries does he score, or create and how many clean breaks? He might have developed into a ball playing 13, but he might not. I think the club has shown since Peet took over that it knows exactly what it’s doing. If Thompson gets the 13 jersey that will be a massive massive step up.

He is, but who does it better?

Morgan Knowles did the same at Saints during their recent reign of 4 grand finals in a row and he got in the dream team 4 years running.

His link play was getting better and better and he carries a lot on 3rd or 4th tackle a lot when we are in an arm wrestle. Not to mention his ridiculous tackle stats. We will see how much he did for this team next season

He played 80 minutes in the Grand Final & made 55 tackles!

[josie andrews]

GRAND FINAL 2023 STATS BREAKDOWN

Wigan Warriors defeated Catalans Dragons at Old Trafford on Saturday, ending a five year wait to once again be crowned Betfred Super League Champions.

The 2023 Grand Final was a low scoring affair with Wigan's Liam Marshall crossing for the only try of the game at the Theatre of Dreams.

As well as his match winning try, Marshall also ran for 133 metres from an impressive 22 carries - and it was a similar story across the Warriors back line.

Jai Field ran for more metres than any other player on Saturday Night - the full back ran for 229 metres from 20 carries, along with two-line breaks and four tackle busts.

The rest of the Warriors' back five also ran for over 100 metres - Toby King (172), Abbas Miski (138) and Harry Sunderland winner Jake Wardle (148) all playing their part in the Warriors Grand Final victory.

In fact, Wigan's back five made significantly more metres than their opposite numbers, carrying for 820 metres compared to Catalans 533 metres. The Dragons lost both Adam Keighran and Tom Davies to sin bins, an unwelcome disruption to their three-quarter line.

Elsewhere, Wigan's Harry Smith played a major role with the boot. Smith kicked three goals from the tee and ended the game with 554 kick metres - an important contribution in the games territorial battle.

Overall, there was little to split the two sides. They shared an even split of possession and had marginally different completion rates, with the Dragons 89% slightly ahead of the Warriors 86%.

Catalans also enjoyed more possession in the oppositions half of the field but were unable to break down the Warriors' resolute defence.

The Dragons managed to break Wigan's line just once through a Tyrone May break, whereas Wigan ended the evening with seven line breaks, with the aforementioned Jai Field and Player of the Match Jake Wardle contributing with two line-breaks a piece.

Morgan Smithies led the charge in the Warriors defensive line, making a game best 55 tackles during a lung-busting 80 minute display through the middle.

Warriors skipper Liam Farrell (49) and Kaide Ellis (42) both notched up impressive tackle counts during a typically gritty Wigan defensive performance.

In total, Wigan made 379 tackles compared to Catalans' 322. The cracks in the Dragons defensive line were apparent with Steve McNamara's side missing 47 tackles compared to the Warriors 23 missed tackles - a telling stat in the outcome of the contest.

Ultimately, it was the Warriors who were deserved victors on Saturday Night. Both sides played their part in an unforgettable year with Wigan bowing out as 2023 Super League Champions.

https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/3 ... -breakdown

[Brennox7]

Leeds live claiming the smithies deal is done

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... h-27993371

[josie andrews]

Leeds live claiming the smithies deal is done

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... h-27993371

Just picking up on one of the comments in this piece, not regarding Smithies, but an earlier comment in the report regarding Harry Newman, finds me shaking my head!

Widely regarded as one of the best young players on the planet as a teenager, injuries have hurt Newman during the early years of his career but he has play more games this year than in his previous three, suggesting the worst of those days are now behind him.