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The duo featured in last year’s 10-2 Super League Grand Final triumph over Catalans Dragons at the Theatre of Dreams.

Morgan Smithies and Kai Pearce-Paul will go head-to-head on their NRL debuts this week after being named by their respective teams.

Halifax-born Smithies, 23, has been named to start at loose forward for the Canberra Raiders in the absence Corey Horsburgh, who is suspended.

The Wigan academy product signed a three-year deal from 2024 for the capital side under Ricky Stuart, and featured in the club’s pre-season fixture with North Queensland Cowboys, falling to a 36-26 defeat.

He will meet back-rower and former club team-mate Pearce-Paul, who has been selected on the interchange bench for Newcastle Knights for Thursday’s clash.

The fellow England international has overcome a toe injury to be available for the start of the season down under, which kicked off in Las Vegas last weekend with a double-header at the Allegiant Stadium with a crowd of 40,000.

The 23-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Knights alongside Will Pryce.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ts-4542873

I really hope both go well. I think they will love Smithies to be honest. Real work horse

I hope so too but i reckon morgan is more suited to the nrl and will shine.Got a feeling Kai will be found out ,but i hope not

Firestarter wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 8:06 am I hope so too but i reckon morgan is more suited to the nrl and will shine.Got a feeling Kai will be found out ,but i hope not

I thought so too until the back end of last season. He had more bite to him. A little bit of nastiness. Not a lot but he started putting bigger hits and ran harder. I think he'll be just fine

Thought Morgan may have been a squad player this year, and I now he’s been given an opportunity I don’t see anyone taking that no.13 shirt off him.

Good Luck to both and like others, I don’t think we will see Morgan back in SuperLeague anytime soon.

I watched their last warm-up game yesterday, and Smithies started the game, but seemed to disappear in the first half and didn't return. Whether injury or tactical, I don't know. Wish them both well, but my chinny reckon is that KPP will be the bigger success over there.