One game and he's a superstar?

Yeah, just like one poor game (out of three!) and Williams 'isn't up to it'. Nobody should be judged on the basis of one game.

Matty Smith's selection yesterday made sense, especially in the conditions. And it's all good. Going forward, we want options in the halves. I do think that, especially as he didn't get a shot in this series, Gale should be given a go ASAP to show what he's got at international level.

I'm with you about Sam

Take a quick look at Mattys pass for Whiteheads second and tell me that George could have executed that. Left to right with the defender in his face right into the bread basket. Matty is a better passer right now. With George that may come but right now Matty is a better passer and kicker.

Look at the round the back 'Gleeson style' pass that George has thrown out a few times this year - Smith can't get near that.

I'm not trying to knock Smith. He seems like a decent guy who has offered great stability. I just really want him to step up and boss the game more - it shouldn't be this close of a call on who is better a seasoned pro or a rookie

Might yesterday's improved performance not be due to the fact that he had had a good rest after being flogged all season by Wane? I think I saw some statistics from Bilko last week that showed he had made 32/33 appearances last season, more than any other Wigan player. True he had the odd week off ( Challenge Cup semi final and final weekends) but I don't think he was injured all season (although he was suspended after the Widnes game!). He is a very resilient player - I can only recall one injury a couple of seasons ago when he was taken out off the ball after kicking and damaged his ankle.
Some of us have been saying SW should have given the Williams/Rocky partnership a go at some stage last season - rotating and giving Smith an occasional well earned rest. It's not rocket science, just good man-management, which would have also given SW and everyone else the chance to see how Rocky fared at half back. And it might have led to much better performances from Smith in the crucial games last season - CC/Saints away/Grand Final.....!

Your post sums up "mean spirited".

You call his MOM performance against the worlds top team an "ok performance".

The skill on display from both teams in shocking conditions was awesome. Hardly a dropped ball all game. And Matty shone throughout. But it was "ok". Are you Garry Schofield in disguise?

The big thing that struck me, watching the game back on TV last night, was actually what a high-quality contest in was from both sides in very difficult conditions. The weather never looks so bad on TV, but remembering how bad it really was, it was a credit to both teams.

I think when you look at guys like Kev Brown, Rangi Chase and Luke Gale they're all more eye catching then Matty Smith because they all have more of a running game and they all play off the cuff rugby. At international level though there isn't enough space for people like Chase to be trying his flicks and tricks and a well structured half like Smith seems more suitable.

We need to get a pairing together now and stick with it because chopping and changing won't work.

Overall I reckon McGuire is a better player than smith however as a leeds fan I don' t watch him week in , week out. I think smith deserves massive credit for his performance yesterday and deserved mom. He had not played since gf, came in with most people doubting the selection. He tackled well, kicked very well and put out some very good passes but the thing that impressed me most was the talking , organising pushing forwards where to go and enthusiasm. Played like a real leader. Wigan lost both green and Tomkins in recent seasons, with Tomkins back adding some class smith may look better next year as nobody will be looking for him to do magic. We have nobody close to Thurston level but smith was the best of the 4 halves yesterday.

Danny McGuire has changed his game as he's lost pace and is more of a playmaker now then he ever was in the past. I would still have my concerns about his kicking game though. He has had Sinfiekd to take care of that for him and I doubt he'd have kicked as well as Smith yesterday.

2016 will be an interesting year for him. Isn't he meant to be your new captain? If he can take that on and take over Sinfields kicking duties (out of hand) with success he may get an international Indian summer.

I thought that Matty Smith had a very good game yesterday, he certainly brought the controlled direction to our side that we have sadly lacked in the first two tests

I'm not sure how yesterdays performance from Matty Smith warrants him as SL's best half back though, unless your opinions are based on one game rather than the whole season?

I think mcguire's last chance of international selection was this series. Agree smith's kicking from hand is better but not been as good an overall player as McGuire has been. In recent years. He will likely be skipper but will miss Sinfield.

I would imagine so too IF McNamara stays as coach (Shenton another one I imagine). If their's a change of coach, with McDermott one suggestion, then he might get back in.