Wigan Warriors: The 18th Man

Harry Smith received plenty of plaudits for his performance against Toronto...just how far can he go in the game?

Alex Graham: I tweeted even before the season kicked off that once Harry Smith gets in the first team, he’ll never leave it. Due to circumstance the time arrived a little sooner than expected, but I’d be surprised if he is dropped for this weekend’s game against Hull even if Sam Powell is fit. There’s always high expectation whenever any Wigan youngster starts breaking into the first team, but none more so than a halfback. The rise and introduction of Smith feels very similar to when George Williams made his debut. As halves they’re quite different, with Williams having a strong running game which at times could be explosive, but hard to remain consistent and often frustrated some Wigan supporters. With Smith, I think we’ll see a more consistent approach to his overall game, with a strong kicking game which will gradually improve with confidence. And although it’s still early days, I’m sure he’ll be looking to repeat his youth representative honours at senior level in the future.

Jon Lyon: It’s a tough balance between encouraging young players and not over-hyping them and adding to the pressure. In saying that, the early signs are Smith can go as far as he wants in the game. Like most talented youngsters, how far they go depends on how much hard work they put in. I thought he was exceptional against Toronto. His defence and line speed were very impressive, and he clearly has a great kicking game. He’s in a privileged position in that he should be soaking up advice from Jackson Hastings and Tommy Leuluai as well as Adrian Lam. There can’t be many young half backs able to work with three such quality half backs. As long as the fans encourage him when he inevitably has an off-day, as youngsters do, we could be looking at a first-choice half back for the next 15 years.

Jeanette Lusher: When a player of the calibre of Jackson Hastings refers to someone as a “young king”, then you have to believe the sky is the limit for him. It has been blatantly obvious as he has progressed through the academy levels he is a prodigious talent. He has three academy grand final successes under his belt, and it speaks volumes that the first victory came at the tender age of 17! On the international level in 2018 he captained the England Academy team that took the spoils in two matches against Australia. Last season he made his first-team debut, and was called into the England Knights squad which secured victory against Jamaica. All of this and he’s only just 20! Smith spent a season at Swinton which, for me, has shown he wants to seize every opportunity to learn and improve. He has a terrific attitude and certainly has the attributes to go very far indeed. He can only blossom further under the tutelage of Adrian Lam and the guidance of Hastings.

Darren Wrudd: The potential of our youngsters is a difficult one to gauge. We have had so many young players who have shown awesome promise for the future and never really gone on to fulfil it in the Cherry and White. Think the last couple of decades with Kevin Brown, Luke Robinson, Joe Mellor, Lewis Tierney or the Coyle brothers...all have gone on to play the game they love and serve their clubs well. Some have had more success than others, but nonetheless did not seem the right long-term solution for Wigan. I suppose we have all been waiting for the next Andy Gregory to come along and we are still waiting. But Harry Smith has a way with him which could just make him something special. Always looking up, aware of his opponents and capable of kicking, stepping or just driving it in. He showed some sparkle against Toronto, but let’s not put pressure on this lad too soon, as he has a lot to learn. He could go a long way, and a lot depends on how much he wants it and how humble and ready to learn he remains. I have high hopes.

Robert Kenyon: He’s played two Super League games, and I think we need to just hang fire on making any assumptions about his future, as we don’t want to big him up too much or, in the same breath, knock his confidence. Let him play a few Super League games this season, but mostly in the reserves to work on any issues he needs to improve, and leave the career mapping to Smith. Let’s not put any unnecessary pressure on the lad.

With only Huddersfield – who have only played twice – having a 100 per cent record after three rounds, is it too early to suggest 2020 will be more competitive than 2019?

Alex Graham: I think there’s signs we’ve seen already which indicates 2020 will be more competitive. The win for Wakefield, Huddersfield double and convincing wins for Catalans and Leeds were difficult to predict. Last year, the most consistent team week in, week out was St Helens and they’ve already lost to a nilling and were behind in the first half against Hull, albeit with a few injuries. With most clubs coming to the end of transition periods and the inclusion of some significant signings, I expect 2020 to be one of the best seasons yet.

Jon Lyon: Probably yes. At present a lot of teams seem to have varying degrees of injury problems, or in Toronto’s case, a squad smaller than the number of chips on Brian McDermott’s shoulders. Most of the team’s have new half back combinations that will take time to gel, and of course the weather conditions so far have been appalling. Once the pitches dry up, I would expect the usual suspects will emerge...Wigan and Saints at the top with the likes of Hull, Catalans, Castleford and Warrington fighting for the play-offs and the rest trying to stay well clear of Toronto at the bottom. There will still be plenty of shocks along the way, every week there seems to be a surprise result. But as the saying goes, form is temporary, class is permanent.

Jeanette Lusher: I feel we are in for a competitive 2020, for each season has seen the standards raised. Since 2010, thanks to Michael Maguire, everyone has realised the value of a really tough pre-season. Fitness and stamina levels are, in my opinion, much better across the league. Players appear both mentally and physically much stronger. No matter who you are playing, there is a need to concentrate for the full 80 and there is certainly no place for any complacency. The only obstacles to a strong competitive season will probably be injuries and small squads.

Darren Wrudd: Yes it is really. I don’t think you can read much into early results and performances in Super League. I often regard Easter weekend as the general time of reflection of potential. How many times have we seen seemingly lesser teams get up for the odd game? Well that’s where we are at right now. So wait until the chocolate eggs are all finished and sit back then for a proper look.

Robert Kenyon: I reckon so. Saints are still a decent side, but not as untouchable as they were last season, and all the other teams have caught up. There’s only Toronto as a squad who I’d say were the easy beats, but they are well coached and they aren’t that easy. Apart from Toronto, the top 5 is anyone’s.

Who do we want to win this weekend’s World Club Challenge – St Helens or Sydney Roosters?

Alex Graham: If St Helens beat the Roosters it would undoubtedly be good for the British game and Super League, while getting one over the Australian’s which is always a pleasure. But on the other hand, it’s St Helens, isn’t it? I’m proud of Wigan’s records and I don’t want St Helens to come any closer to matching our achievements. I think it’ll be a close game but the Roosters will eventually run away with it and win by 10. Up the Chooks!

Jon Lyon: Ordinarily I don’t like Saints to win anything but, with the Ashes series at the end of the year in mind, it would be a great boost to English rugby to beat the Aussies nice and early. With Shaun Wane in place, and Australia without the array of untouchables like Slater, Inglis, Smith, Cronk and Thurston they’ve had in recent years, we’ve our best chance to win the Ashes in a long time. What better way to increase confidence than beating their champions nice and early? English pride wins out over local rivalry this time.

Jeanette Lusher: I know I should want an English team to take the spoils, but St Helens...really? Would the argument that our first-team coach has strong links with the Roosters be acceptable so I can go Australian? In all seriousness, I just want to see a very competitive game that reflects really well on the sport of rugby league. I hope it’s a full-blooded, no-quarter-given type of game that displays all the skills and attributes of our beloved game, and that at the end the best team wins.

Darren Wrudd: It’s a win-win scenario for me. I would love to say the wholehearted support of this dyed-in-the-wool Wigan chap is going to make way for a Super League v NRL tussle, and I suppose my preferred outcome would be the Roosters getting beaten. Just think of all the poaching the Aussies would do down Saints way at the end of the year! But if there is another massacre like last time they played this game in Bolton, I can’t say I would shed a tear for the miserable Red Vee fans as they walked home with their tails between their legs. If that makes me a bad fan, I will live with it.

Robert Kenyon: Sydney Roosters, without a shadow of a doubt. I’d normally shout for the English team, but not when it’s Saints or Warrington. I was hoping Saints had a full side out and Roosters the same, but as long as it’s a good game I’ll be happy, I’d like Saints to be competitive, but not win. Saints have a good pack, but the Roosters pack is miles better and they have the James Tedesco factor. I’m in two minds whether to go to the game just to see Roosters in the flesh.