Plus another prodigal son, Forythe a young lad who left for the greener grass of Bath RU. It's amazing how players that leave Wigan are soon pining to be back. It must be the quality of the pies. I don't doubt that Charnley and Sargison will return to the fold in another season or two.

Wigan did well winning those titles with 12 men on the pitch.


He does create tries, and he gets his team in great attacking positions with his kicking game and organisational play.

He'll prove a very good signing for us.

You were saying?

Welcome to the saints forum where every man and his dog claim to be in the know when the truth is none of them. They just regurgate rumours they hear from the pub and eventually one comes true and that gives them some credibility as people forget about the other 99 rumours from their "source" that never came true

As for smith , I'm quite happy about it.

Regards

King James

I'm not over the moon with the Smith signing tbh but I'm willing to give him a chance.

I just think he's everything we don't need unless we bring a attacking 6 in who can make things happen but from KC comments it looks like Smith and fages for 2017.

Smith is a decent player and I've known him from his blackbrook days and always followed him but he's just steady and I feel we need a good attacking halfback like Walsh (pre injury) was. Smith won't open up defences or take the line on and that's been our big big problem.

I've got a feeling we have more no thrills one up basic rugby is coming our way again next year.

I feel for percy, Tommy, swifty and Morgan as they won't get and ball

Eh? Check the date of my post! As smith confirmed today, he signed for us one month ago. So at the time of my post we hadn't signed him and were looking at other options. So what I was "saying" at the time was correct.

Matty Smith played the most exciting rugby in the league when he was at salford. They played great off the cuff rugby.

Im not happy with the length of deal but id take him over Soward and Carney any day of the week.

Agreed. He looked really good at Salford and I'm clinging to the hope that working with Long again can get the best out of him.

Agreed. Brown was over the line until Widnes moved the goalposts last minute. Smith was never on the cards at that time.

I'm still puzzled why KC said Smith was 'not on the club's radar' when the cat was let out the bag in August?!

I'm puzzled how you're puzzled.

Can you imagine a few months ago, one of our key players confirming that they had signed for Wigan next season? Saints fans would have gone ballistic, likewise, Wigan fans would have done about Smith and questioned his commitment.

KC did what he had to do to try and put the media off the scent.

Exactly, the naivety of people "outraged" at KC lying about this astounds me

He got the chairman's award at the annual dinner last night so he was respected at Wigan

He will bring stability, reliability and experience to the Saints side. There isn't an endless supply of quality halfbacks kicking around at the moment, so just be grateful you won't have to rely on Wilkin playing 7 next season.

What he said

Regards

King James

Nothing wrong with Matty, just never let him goal kick! but at 29 is a 3 year contract the reason he left too good to refuse?

He did indeed, I was there. If any of you have family or friends with Wigan t.v it'll be on there some time this week. Ian Lenagan stated "Saints approached us months ago as to Mattys availibility. We decided that in view of the great service he has given to Wigan and the offer, then it was in both his and the clubs best interests to let him leave." He then went on to thank Matty and present his award. I was sat on the next table to him (Matty Smith) and the amount of people and players (past and present) who came to shake his hand and wish him well was fantastic and clearly moved him.

It is the pies

Made up with this from a Wigan POV. Can't understand why Saints have signed him for three years. A nice bloke I'm sure but he will not worry me at all ball in hand and will be a good player to target in defence. I know for sure you have a couple of really good halfbacks in your academy. Would it not have made more sense to bring in a Gidleyesque NRL half back at the end of his career to give you a season or two of good performances whilst you blood in a youngster, whom he can mentor? I find it hard to believe Saints couldn't attract a better 7

Richardson looked promising a year ago. If he still is- I'm sure Matty is just the sort of person to pair him with.

Or have you forgotten about how George Williams has been brought through by Wigan alongside Matty?

When the likes of you are so negative and insulting, he can probably console himself with his medals and caps - they don't give them away you know.

You're not seriously attributing George Williams' success to Matty Smith are you? Totally different players, Williams causes problems in attack, defends well and I can't remember him ever going missing in big games. Playing badly on the odd occasion, yes, but never going missing. Did you see the interview with Smith ahead of the Grand Final? He said words to the effect of never really getting involved in the last two Grand Finals and letting them pass him by. How can anyone accept that from a first choice scrum half at a top team?

With regards to medals, Ricky Bibey won two challenge cups, Richie Mathers won the same plus two World Club Challenges, it doesn't mean they were quality players.

From a Wigan POV i cant believe your happy Smith has left if the replacement is Leuluai. The blokes worse than everything Matty Smith stands for.

I don't miss being banned from the Wigan board but I do remember you were one of the few sensible ones on there Grimmy. You can always tell a rank average player when supporters bring up what a nice bloke he is, how he is a steadying influence on the team, how he guides them around the park. Smith is something like 30th in try assists, 17th for HBs. That's in one of the top 3 teams in SL. It's the best bit of business Wigan have done in years. I'm gutted you have got rid.

I've watched Tommy Leuluai this year playing in the halves for NZ Warriors and he's been very good, so good he's been selected for New Zealand in the four Nations games.

Let's just hope he can kick on the 3rd tackle.