I havent seen any of the match yet but I would be tempted to give him a start against the lower end of the table sides and definately when the challenge cup comes around with Tommy on the bench

You'd imagine he'll start next week with Leuluai going off with a head knock, if he gets half a dozen starts this year with plenty bench spots as well that will be excellent.

You just have to ease players in, we’ve been here before with good young players and we need to ease him in. He’s not in double figures yet we need to chill out.

If he gets around twelve games this season I think that'll be about right for him, and probably the same for the likes of Byrne and Havard. Then if Smithies and Partington get between fifteen and twenty games that should be good for their progress.
Back to Smith, he was superb yesterday with his kicking game, but Leuluai made a couple of really good defensive reads and tackles when we under pressure in the first half to keep Huddersfield out. Fans need to realise that good defence is equally if not more important than good attack, although not as pleasing on the eye.
There's nobody more supportive of young players than I, but if we've got a big deep squad I think we should use it.

Wouldn't be a bad time to start him next week. Hull KR at home, with Tommy possibly out.

Stop talking sense Brian and stick to the script. We've had a good win so we're now better without the likes of Lockers and Tommy. I do wish you would read the memos!

Smith has been the real deal for some time. Absolute class. There is never any certainty that young players will step up and fulfill the promise they show at younger age groups but I have to say I'd be surprised and more than a little disappointed if Harry doesn't. Literally the best kicking game I've seen at his age with good hands and an ability to challenge the line too. If he can bring the defense side of his game up around the level of the attacking side he'll have a massive future. Who better to learn that from than Tommy? Undoubtedly one of the best defensive halves ever.

It’s tough to keep a lid on it when you see a guy with the natural skill set that Smith possesses but I’m sure Lam will do that and drop him in and out as needed. It’s an ideal opportunity to start him against HKR and then see where we go after that.

While I agree with good defence and I cant 5hink of a half better than Tommy when Smith was on we had to do a lot less of it. His kicking game and repeat sets or them starting their sets off their own line is massive. Yes don't rush him but how can you ignore such talent?
Byrnes another, big unit big minutes ltop work rate ow errors what's not to like

On the subject of Bryne he’s one of the first props on my team sheet now, not only is he a unit and able to knock people over with strong defence, but he’s playing 50+ minutes regularly every game now allowing the other big men to be used as wrecking balls, huge future at Wigan

Harry Smith was very good at Hudds.
Does anyone know if Tommy passed or failed his HIA test?
Smith played so well that leaving Tommy off would have been an easy option if TL passed his HIA.

Byrne is looking more confident nowadays as well. He was really good when he first came in but as a young prop it must always be daunting starting out. The play offs were a good lesson for him, Partington and Smithies I felt. All three had really positive starts to their Wigan careers but that next step up in intensity was a tough one. They all look far the better for that experience and will know what to expect the next time a game like that comes round.

Apparently it was a bit soft according to woolford,not forgetting the fact that Leulai never came back on

Sezer looked a right nob yesterday, pushing and shoving after the Isa try, then the high tackle and then his football style theatrics of taking as long as possible to step foot off the pitch after his sin binning.

He’s been very good in his first few games and doesn’t need to act like that.

should let Tommy hit wolford like that see if he thinks its soft

I just watched the game back (didn't go), and Smith's display was a joy to watch. Just about every kick absolutely on the dime, more repeat sets than you can shake a stick at, and he seems to have the the necessary instincts, passing and running game both look fine (I laughed when the Giants defenders backed off him, waiting for a kick, and of course he did exactly the right thing; take the metres on offer, draw and pass, draw and pass, and bingo, Marshall's over for his hat-trick). As for his defence, as Marshall has shown, to a large extent this can be improved by practice and hard work.

I agree he shouldn't be played all the time, and Tommy still offers plenty to the team, but we have some nice combinations brewing nowadays.

I don’t get the “he shouldn’t play all the time mantra”. He’s playing exceptionally well with Hastings. He’s clearly good enough and our team is better for him being in, keep him playing!

First class pillock, that fella.

But that petulant display when he was sin-binned yet again underlined the weakness of our current referees. The yellow card should have been made red for his refusal to leave the playing area. But it was left to some other official to run on and lead him off while the ref stood there like a spare part.

its worse than that, the officials did nothing the Hudds trainer told him to leave the field

I didn’t notice any officials getting involved. I thought it was pathetic from Sezer, a real show of petulance and arrogance rolled in to one.

As the season progresse, I think you will find that Smith and Smithies will be on the field more than Leuluai and O'Loughlin.

That would make sense. The experience they are getting this season is invaluable. I do hope we can keep the players we have for as long as we can and reduce the current stream of youth going over to the NRL. If we can do this as well as tie down French and Hastings to longer deals then we could really see some success over the next five years.

Would you sign Joey Lussick as a 2nd hooker when Tommy goes? It could be an enticement to get Hasings to stay?

We would have to offer him more than Salford and then he'd be behind Powell and playing in the reserves.
Can't see it happening although he's a good player.

No, he'd play at interchange hooker as he does at Salford and Harry Smith would partner Hastings in the halves?

Sounds great but Sam Powell doesn’t need to be interchanged.