He was a really great talent, but he was no half back. Much like Lomax, he was shoehorned into a position to try and replace Long. Eastmond would have been a fantastic fullback but I don't believe he had the rugby intelligence to run the game. Matty Smith was the natural scrum half at the time but we treated him like dirt because he didn't have electrifying pace and an eye for a gap.

Wigan and Warrington games

+1

However, happens, players move on.

Couldn't disagree more. Had a good kicking and looked very assured at 1st receiver. No problems bossing people around - had the ego that a half needs.

People just don't seem to BELIEVE that a player can be quick AND an organiser.

I always liked Smith but he was only ever going to be a decent club player as his performances at international level has proved. Eastmond had the wow factor that an international needs. He was still a young gun when he left the Saints, if he had stayed he would be running the show now both at club and international level.

The mad thing is that when Tomkins, Eastmond and Myler all broke through about the same time, some people(including myself) argued that Myler was the better halfback, turned out right. Although Eastmond and Tomkins are far better players.

I'd take Tomkins or Eastmond to play halfback over Myler in a heartbeat.

Agreed.

The same Myler that got left at home by England instead of a 28 year old former St. Helens third string scrum half and not one person on this forum questioned it?

Offiah sold Wire a Lemon and everyone knows it.

The real issue is that Super League clubs don't show enough faith in young half backs. St. Helens for not giving Eastmond the contract he deserved and Wigan for changing Tomkins to a less influential position.

Matty Smith can't be 28, can he? Jeez, I must be getting old.

Eastmond showed better passing and kicking ability than Long did at the same age. Though given his injury record at the time, it's understandable that the club didn't give him a big contract.

In reality, we backed the wrong horses in Wheeler and Smith.

I think we did offer Eastmond a substantial contract. We were just never going to be able to match Bath.

Those people clearly never saw Sean Long a few years back.

I'm sticking to my guns with this one Matty Smith is playing for one of the strongest clubs in SL and is representing his country. Imo the club did not recognise his potential & let a quality scrum half leave. We struggled from then on without a quality half back for years until we eventually signed Walsh. Granted, Eastmond could be a match winner but was frustrating at times, opting to go alone instead of distributing the ball, especially near the line. I felt at the time we were quite boring and predictable on the attack, especially near the try line. I appreciate nobody is going to agree with what I've said here.

Someone questioned Smith's performances for England but I thought he'd played well personally. With a better hooker, he might have got better ball.