And by doing that you lose that game management bit and don't develop it. Effectively you are using him like McDermott. This is fine if that is the long term route Furner wants. But if he wants game management, as discussed on this thread and good handling skills, then Smith should be at the forefront of his thoughts here, unless he has other options.

I'm not saying we should use him like McD did, I'm saying give him increasing game time and responsibility.

He's 19/20, there's plenty of time over the next 2 years to turn him into the player we both know he can be. It's too early to give him all that responsibility now, especially considering how the team have been in the last 3 years and the pressure that would come with it. What I'm saying is develop him over the next 2 years, by giving him more and more responsibility over that time, so we can see how he handles it and not dump on him by asking for the world from next February.

I do not want to see him developed as a biff and barge back (or front) rower, he's a lot better than that.

Time will tell with him - he was an elite player as a youngster but there are plenty of elite young players that simply cannot take that into the grown ups. A lot will depend if Furner wants to play an NRL style of structure/power game or something with more finesse.

Is Smith really that good?

I've only watched him in the seniors and have been pretty meh about him. I've no idea of his background or ability at academy so maybe it is that mcd used him wrong in a team that was going backwards.

I honestly don't know, but do people really think he is a key cog for us in the future? Would he best with Stevie ward and the back 3 with a strong runner making us the third of them?

If you go back on the thread, it might not need the question, because the issue of whether he is any good, or indeed whether you have seen that in how he has been used, have not been given the chance to show thus far. The lad as stated is a game manager, a good rugby brain, with excellent handling skills. He has been used as a bish and bash, hence the Meh.

Had he been used to utilise his talents, then we would know further as to whether he is the future. He certainly has it in him, but only if used in that capacity.

You certainly do.

I would give Runciman a chance.

Was the next big thing 5-6 years ago. Worth a punt.

Quote: Fallon "Is Smith really that good? I've only watched him in the seniors and have been pretty meh about him. I've no idea of his background or ability at academy so maybe it is that mcd used him wrong in a team that was going backwards. I honestly don't know, but do people really think he is a key cog for us in the future? Would he best with Stevie ward and the back 3 with a strong runner making us the third of them?'" If his try against Catalans and especially his break and pass for Luke Brisoce to score at Halifax are anything to go by I'm very hopeful he'll develop into an important 1st team member. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oLx5_-PgIQ https://www.therhinos.co.uk/video/halif ... ch-action/

Quote: Fallon "Is Smith really that good? I've only watched him in the seniors and have been pretty meh about him. I've no idea of his background or ability at academy so maybe it is that mcd used him wrong in a team that was going backwards. I honestly don't know, but do people really think he is a key cog for us in the future? Would he best with Stevie ward and the back 3 with a strong runner making us the third of them?'" If his try against Catalans and especially his break and pass for Luke Brisoce to score at Halifax are anything to go by I'm very hopeful he'll develop into an important 1st team member. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oLx5_-PgIQ https://www.therhinos.co.uk/video/halif ... ch-action/

5/6yrs ago. What's he done in 5/6yr? Nothing

If we do sign 'project players' it needs to be made clear that they'll have to fight to earn a spot and stay. That means 1 year contracts maximum. If they go elsewhere sobeit, but we currently have a squad full of average players on contracts for longer than they should be, and we're struggling to get rid of some of them.

As for Smith, I don't mind ball handling etc, but like Cuthbertson any forward needs to be able to do the hard yards when required. Furner himself was a capable ball handler but also ran hard, tough lines and made his tackles. I doubt he'll be interested in anyone who can't muscle up when needed.

Well, he's 25 so i think he'd be worth a go.

he's ok with better players around him. we don't have them.

Not sure why people rate Myler. I would say he is the reason why we lost so many this year. Nice guy but a tired has been

Has been? He is only about 27 isn't he?

Anyway, he had a decent first half of the year but it was a thankless task guiding that beaten pack around the field second half of the year not to mention the fact he was the only established half at the club.

Whilst I agree overall, his last tackle plays were shockingly negative at times. Hopefully, Furner addresses it in the off season