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.

Rogues his been poor. He gets absolutely slated on the official new zealand watriors forum. He was a poor half back 4 years ago. His been selected because of his versatility and experiance.

Are you for real. Leuluai has been holding down a regular place in a NRL side. How many current Super League halfbacks do you think could do that, certainly not (and I like and rate the guy) Matty Smith.

He was holding down a permanent spot only because roger was injured so they moved lolohea to full back. That left them only sean johnson fit and he was injured nor a number of weeks.

Leuluai played his best rugby for Wigan at 9. I remember these boards well around the time he used to get slated by wigan fans for having a poor kicking game and not leading the team around the park. He had the outstanding grand final against saints that saved his bacon

He got that because he agreed to leave.

Aye NZ Warriors; even rat boy got a game there.

Do you genuinely think that?

I was surprised when I heard wigan signed Leulai, but he is definately still worth a shot as 9 and half back utility, maybe Wigan see him moving into coaching a bit there as well?

I don't think he is the world beater he was when the Kiwis won the World Cup.

It'll be interesting to see where, and how he plays for New Zealand in the forthcoming games. Regarding Smith I told everyone on here and Red Vee that the deal was agreed months ago, and as I said that was confirmed by Ian Lenagan on Tuesday.

Which would suggest it wasn't a reward for his sterling services but an offer too good for Wigan to refuse to offload an average player?

No, it was as a reward for his service and the fact that he was being offered a four year (3 + 1) contract at Saints, so Wigan didn't stand in his way for a move that would be in the best interests of him and his family. They haven't been averse to letting players move on over the last few years have they?
Just have a listen to Lenagan at Tuesdays dinner on Wigan t.v.

Yes Mattys steadiness and leadership allowed George to thrive.

Mattys comments were humble. He doesn't do boasting.

I don't recall Bibey playing for England? Or Mathers? You're being a bit naughty there. We can all come up with players who have won something on the backs of others. They tend not to win Lance Todd trophies or caps for England though.

What it shows is that Lenagan will put the financial well being of the club ahead of success or popularity. Or so the vast majority of your supporters have been bemoaning. He must be laughing all the way to the bank, & probably more success, by off-loading Smith.

I've wanted shut of Smith for about 2 years now, he can have very good games but the truth of the matter is that he's limited in what he can do, and he isn't even consistent to back that up.

For every off the cuff 40/20 like last week he kicks, he'll go early on the 3rd tackle and find the opposition fullback with an astounding level of accuracy!

I'll say this for him though, if you're level with a team with 10 minutes to go, he'll win you the game with a drop goal. Never seen a player as good at them at Wigan.

Confirmed in todays League Express that Tommy Lee has signed for Saints.

As a HB or back-up hooker?