Smith happy to take back seat
Published Date:
21 August 2008
Aussie Tim Smith says he will be happy to play a bit-part role against Leeds this Friday night if Trent Barrett returns from injury.
He celebrated his full home debut with his first Wigan try in the 32-22 victory over Wakefield.
Smith, looking trimmer and fitter than when he arrived in England last month, formed a good half-back combination with Thomas Leuluai.
But the ex-Parramatta star could be set to lose his spot in the starting line-up if Barrett returns from a hamstring injury on Friday night.
Coach Brian Noble may also be tempted to switch Barrett to loose forward, rather than disrupt the new halfback combination. Smith insists he is happy to slot in wherever he is asked to play.
"I really don't mind," he said. "It's about the team and I'm happy to play anywhere, whether that's starting or off the bench – Trent Barrett is a quality player and you can't leave someone like him out the side."
Smith registered his first try in the 32-22 victory over Wakefield and played a key role in steering the side after they were reduced to 12-men.
"It was great to get the win, once we lost a player it was pretty tough and I was just glad to get the two points," he said.
"I think at half-time we knew what we had to do, but they made it hard for us and credit to them.
"Stuart Fielden played very well for us, I've not seen much of him before I came here but he's impressed me.
"He and the other forwards really lay the platform for the backs."
Smith has been doing extra training with fitness coach Mike Forshaw to build-up his stamina and Noble has been pleased with the way he has developed.
"Tim's is a good kid," he said. "He's finding out about us and we're still finding out about him.
"I've been pleased with the way he's come in. He hadn't played in four months and he's done a lot of hard work in training with Forsh.
"Thomas Leuluai has been going great as well and I've been really pleased with him. He's self-critical, I think he's one of those players who's always looking for the complete game every week, but we've got to remember he's only young.
"He's 23 and he's got a really big future in front of him."
The full article contains 411 words and appears in Wigan Observer newspaper.
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Last Updated:
21 August 2008 4:06 PM
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Source:
Wigan Observer
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Location:
Wigan