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.

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.

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.

it is

Your not the only one.

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".

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.




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

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.

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.

So which "insect" in the St Helens team was responsible for biting Lee

I suspect the club have already been informed unless you actually believe the insect bite story.

At least it's a bit more subtle than he getting stung

In your opinion. Not Mclennans'.

How dare a new coach try different players to determine hi best formation!!!!!

Again, in your opinion, but who do you mean??

Do you think the club were right to do that? If they were then Smith needed to grow up, show our great club some respect and act in a way befitting someone who is priviliged to don the blue and amber.

Did they? Evidence?

Quantify why it would've been one of his biggest cockups? Is he one of the most valuable members of the team? In what way?

The fact he was willing to try the "I don't know where that five grand came from your honour" defence would indicate he's not the smartest or most mature knife in the drawer.

I cant be bothered digging up old ground Gareth. You know the answers to all those questions. I suspect you might even in truth feel the same.

Your on a role, aim it where it is needed, against the others.

Indeed and unlike some I assume Mr Hetherington will need convincing that Mr Smith has truly mended his ways before he thrusts a long, lucrative contract taking up a lot of cap space into the hands of a young man who not 9 months ago was, well, let's just say, flirting with the wrong side of the law.

Neither did ryan hall and imo bluey was assessing both of them in that position which isn't a bad thing either!!

They report me to the mods and threaten to sue me.



You're much better sport shag.

Can you wait till next week then? Its a nice break for me.

Just because the sun is shining............yes.

Smith was the better player in that position at that time. If McClennan couldn't see that he wouldn't be much of a judge.

However off the field he'd be the one to know what was the issue.

Akshwally cast yer mind back. Smith scored 2 tries against KR in the 1st game last year. His all around game was poor though. Mclennan commented on this.

The revisionists who now proclaim Smith as the Messiah weren't up in arms when he was replaced by Hall for the next game.

Hall went on to score two cracking tries against Huddersfield. The revisionists proclaimed him wonderful and Smith barely warranted a mention. However, the more sagely amongst us, ie me, noted Hall's around game and in particular defence was poor. Mclennan though so and Smith got back in.

The season continued in similar vein until Smith made Mclennan's decision easy by being a "very naught boy".

Smith's form last season was patchy. He certainly hit his straps in the Wigan eliminator and Grand Final and started this season the same. However, let's not re-write what he was doing overall last year.

I think McClennan could see after the first two games who was the better right wing on the field at that time.

Smith
Hall R
Smith
Smith
Smith
Smith
Hall R
Smith
Smith
Hall R
Smith
Smith
Smith
Smith

It would be interesting to see that thread again after the Huddersfield match where Hall scored off a breakaway and an intercept (as I also contributed) just to see who was the more correct in their assessment.

Is this fact or just rumour G? I know a lot was said about him but no one event was really brought into the spotlight- apart form the stuff with his old man obviously.