I can't work out whether I'm happy or disappointed he is going. He's a good scrum half, nothing special but dependable and professional, I have no doubt he is a fantastic player to have at the club for his attitude and influence. He's been the target of much criticism this year, I think the way he's coped with all the injuries to key players and shouldered the responsibility, on his own at times is admirable.

I suppose I have to ask who is better, TL or Smith? I'd say TL, so all things considered probably best for us. We could find it a lot harder in the derby's now with the knowledge Smith has about the way we play.

You may indeed be right. Although I don't think Tommy's kicking game is anything to write home about.

My point would be - how many games did Walsh play over his contract? How many games did Todd Carney play over his contact at Catalans? Terry Campese at Hull KR? If you ranked Matty against them you would say he was fourth. But how many GF rings have they got between them?

It's all very well having top class players, but if they are sat in the stands they are no use to anyone. Matty will lead Saints next season. He won't duck out of tackles like Walsh. He may not be as good a player, but over the course of a season he will be much more use to them.

Leaders in any sports team are worth their weight in gold. Walsh was not a leader. He came for the salary and offered Saints nothing, just like Carney at Catalans.

BTW I'm less worried about Tommy getting injured because Powell has stepped up once and he can do it again - I'm certain.

Am I the only Wigan fan that remembers just how bang average a scrum half Leuluai was? I was hoping he left before we found out he was a good hooker.

In essence we have replaced Smith with a faster, more agile and much worse kicking game player that can't kick goals.

Williams firing off means we're in a bad way next year.

Looking at Josh's comments recently I reckon we'll see him back at Wigan in the near future.

I haven't heard that, sincerely hope it isn't true.

Firstly, Williams is going?

Secondly, that may have been the case with Tommy in his first spell but he's been very good in the halves this season for the Warriors. There are a few posters on here like moto that watch a bit of NRL and I'm sure will tell you the same.

Rumor has it Williams is off to Wire. We've got a big fee + Dwyer coming our way.

Personally think it's suspiciously like the old Tomkins rumours where every week there was a rumour he was off.

See what happens i guess

I very much doubt it

Not a cat in hell's chance.

I know Smith clearly put his body on the line in the Grand Final, but let's not re-write history. He is a very poor defender (hence why he was at fault for Wire's only try, and they targeted him so much for another). Leuluai, on the other hand, will be the biggest hitting scrum half in the league!

... and he's still putting in those bell-ringers!

Yes I would agree with you about Tommy. Actually the only other half back I can think of who is as good is George Williams.

But Smith's defence improved immeasurably since he came. Of course, he made mistakes like on Saturday but if you're really telling me that Matty is as a poor a defender as Walsh I'd respectfully disagree.

Spot on and don't forget his superior passing and running game as well.

There's certain posters on here who love to re-write history. Smith has been solid & dependable, but unspectacular for the majority of his Wigan career. Yes there's been the odd exceptional performance here and there, but I'd argue you can count them on one hand and they've mostly come in the wet. There's also been some downright abject plays thrown in there as well. Over four years that's not good enough imo.

Smith is a good organiser, talker and leader on the field and on his day can produce a very good kicking game. He also represents the club well off the field.

Leuluai has all of the above but also provides a running and passing threat along with better defence.

The only thing that Smith has over Leuluai is that he's practically been an ever present over the last few years whereas Leuluai has had some tough injuries. That is a slight concern but overall no doubt Wigan have made the right call.