As for yesterday’s game, I just saw the stats for Havard and Byrne from the bench and that’s the standard set for them now and what they should be working towards. They’re wrestling for consistency but both did exactly what we need yesterday. I thought Havard was exceptional in particular.

Havard

17 carries

177 metres

Byrne

12 carries

105 metres

Wow that's a pleasant surprise.

Byrne gets a lot of undue stick, I would rest both next week pointless flogging them when we have Bullock and Clark to use.

Smith is and always has been, a good talented player who unlike many good young scrum halves of the past has not been fortunate at Wigan to be playing with a better, more experienced and dominate pack like that of the present St Helens team which Theo Farge and now Lewis Dodd have or been doing.



A Scrum Half is only as good as the pack playing in front of him which is not the case with the present pack at Wigan and might explain the lack of attacking rugby at present.!




Ask Andy Gregory about his days at Widnes, Warrington and Wigan or Paul Deacon about his time at Bradford Bulls.

I agree to a certain extent and whilst the jury is still very much out on Smith he needs a bit of time next season to be given his chance.

The main issue though at the moment is the nature of some of his mistakes. Consistently kicking out on the full and poor passing accuracy cannot be laid at the hands of his pack of forwards.

I’d also say apart from the Leigh game, on the odd occasion our pack has managed to get a foothold in the game, he has still not been able to improve.

I’m not confident he is a long term half for us but as with everyone else it will be a clean slate under a new coach next year.

One of those rare occasions where you’re spot on

but with that logic you would lose both games to certain teams all year and we know that doesnt happen

Forwards don't impact Smith's passes hitting the deck or kicks out on the full though? So this post is only slightly true.

In addition, good halfbacks find a way to get involved and make things happen. Whether its through an excellent kicking game (which could negate the lack of yards in the forwards) OR linking in with forwards in our own half to stop them running at A,B,C defenders and get them a bit more out wide to run more at space/gaps. Smith also isn't doing this but it isn't confirmed whether its by choice or instruction.

Do we think Halves like Thurston or Johns would look this bad under Lam and behind the forward pack? Not at all, they would take matters into their own hands to make things happen. I am not for one minute comparing, those two to Smith, but some portion of his form/quality is down to him, it cannot all be attributed to external factors.

No they wouldn’t but equally at 21 years of age they weren’t expected to carry a poorly coached side in what is his first full season. The lads still finding his feet at this level and isn’t being helped with some poor coaching. He looks lost and totally empty of confidence which is a stark difference from when he came on to the scene.

Honestly, I think you’re being really unfair.

I was listening to Cooper Cronk talk about Sam Walker and CC said that when he 1st broke into the side he was told that, as young HB, all he needs to do is make his tackles and nail his kicks.

I can't honestly say that Smith is doing either.

I like the kid and not writing him off, but he needs a big off season and start to 2022 imo.

I completely agree with that assessment. 2022 could be make or break for Smith but equally his development has been hindered by poor coaching and poor personnel. I think some are being extremely unfair to him purely because he was banded about as the next big thing in the academy. You don’t just lose that level of talent.

Undoubtedly there's a lot who are quick to write him off. We've had that problem for years tho, so hopefully both those in charge & Smith don't listen.

I've just read an article in the MEN about Miller and it was interesting to read that Smith leads the league in attacking kicks rlhttps://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/jacob-miller-wigan-warriors-wakefield-21580532rl

Stats aren't obviously everything and I wouldn't say he's a top draw kicker by any means, but I still do think there's a good player in there. I'm happy he's here and I'm excited to see how he'll develop.

+1

That’s the worry. He is getting the very basic aspects of play wrong.

Absolutely agree regarding next year. It is huge in regards his career.

I’ve got to be honest, I can’t recall seeing a half back for a top team with such a poor passing game as Smith.