Wigan Warriors' Morgan Smithies speaks out on hip-drop ban and England hopes
Wigan big-hitter Morgan Smithies will on Sunday bid to convince England boss Shaun Wane he’s ready for his Test debut.
The uncapped loose forward, 21, has made the initial 40-man squad which will prepare to face France next Saturday. But it will be soon whittled down to 20 so tough-tackling Smithies knows another quality 80 minutes against Wakefield could perhaps seal his spot. He has been one of Betfred Super League’s top forwards this term, improving his handling to add to his defensive steel, so it’s no surprise he’s in Wane’s thoughts.
Yorkshireman Smithies recalled: “As soon as I found out I was in the squad, I rang my mum and dad and they were probably just as made up as me. I was absolutely buzzing. It was a proud moment for me and all my family. It’s something I've been striving for but to finally get a foot through the door, it means a lot. Hopefully I can play and make a bit of a statement.
“But obviously Wigan comes first. I’m looking for a big performance against Wakefield. Only once that’s out of the way, can I focus on England, go into camp and have a good crack with the boys before hopefully playing France on Saturday.”
In-form Wigan will usurp Warrington from top spot if they beat bottom-placed Trinity. Mark Applegarth’s strugglers have lost all nine games and been nilled five times, including 32-0 by Leigh last Sunday. But Smithies, who won the Challenge Cup with Warriors last term, insisted: “Wakefield are still a good team. They don’t start games badly at all. If you look at the first 25 minutes against Leigh, they turned up and they were there for one another. We know it won’t be an easy game. We have to be on top of ours. We’ll turn up to do business.”
Cas star Jacob Miller says Trinity's Lewis Murphy has "nothing to lose" in NRL
And he is keen to make his mark after missing Wigan’s win at Warrington while serving a one-game ban for a hip-drop tackle on St Helens Morgan Knowles. Ironically, England loose forward Knowles is also currently serving a five-match suspension for a hip-drop tackle that controversially wrecked Mike Cooper’s knee, ending the Wigan prop’s season. Smithies says he’s learned his lesson and, asked if he feels the dangerous challenges will soon be eradicated from the game, said: “I’d say so.
Wigan Warriors' Morgan Smithies celebrates Sam Powell's try (PA) (PA)“With all the publicity around it at the minute it just gives players that warning when we’re playing to be more cautious with tackle selection. I think a hip drop is just a heat of the moment thing but, as players, we’ve just got to be better there. I’ll learn from my ban and there’s a few other players who have got bans as well. I’m sure they will learn from theirs and we’ll cut it out.”
That will be important if he wants to advance his international career. But with Knowles sidelined and fellow England World Cup No13 Victor Radley in action in the NRL, it would be no shock to see Smithies get that shot.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
