True. Is he actually injured though or just a bit of knock?

If Smith is out I still dont think Nobby will start Tomkins. Just looking at the way the club have held him back to date if they throw him in from the start next week they are going back on everything they have said about easing him in slowly.

Not sure, i know he left the feild and didnt return.

I thought that was for performance reasons rather than injury.

extreme case of crapitis

It may well have been, if thats the case Smith will be gone by mid season.

Its a funny one this one. I have personally been a massive fan of Sam since I very first saw him. Id absolutely love him to be a star of the game and I think he may well be. However I dont want him rushed. Playing from the bench is fine for me at the minute. He can come on with less pressure and potentially change the game single handedly. I believe he has that quality and he proved it at Quins

The only problem is, I think he is already better than Tim Smith. Ive been terribly dissapointed in Smith. His defence is woeful and he will never ever beat a man. He doesnt back up breaks either which for a stand off is a sin.

Id be willing to give smith one more chance this weekend. If sam comes on and out performs him again, then smith can stay out of the 17 for the rest of the season. Its time he played to his reputation

Agree may be drop Coley for Prescott if fit whats wrong with him? Or maybe go with 3 probs and move Hansen / Hock to front row

Prescott played 60 minutes for the acadmy last thursday so i would assume he is fit.

I don't think Smith is an injury doubt for next week.

I would go with exactly the same 17, bar Prescott for Coley.

Yep. Thats the team.

Mossop, McIllorum, Pryce, Goulding, Coley & Phelps (once fit) are next in line.

I cant see Noble changing a winning team to be honest.

yes keep same team a prt from coley swop with prescot an lets hope smith can do some of this again =


In 2005, he won the prestigious Dally M Rookie of the Year award after leading the NRL in try assists. He also received much acclaim from Parramatta legend Peter Sterling, who "handed over" the Eels #7 jersey in an episode of The NRL Footy Show in the middle of 2005. Tim has been touted as the most naturally skilled halfback in the NRL with the ability to land precsion kicks and passes with incredible accuracy. With 40 try assists in his debut season Smith entered the NRL scene with a bang, he was labeled as the next 'Joey' and 'Sterlo'.

Quite. It makes his abysmal form all the more mystifying.

Same team but
Coley <==> Prescott
Bailey <==> Goulding