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.

Powell?

Was at the GF with GF, her first game... after first try I was explaining the conversion, and finished by saying, that the kicker was a little inconsistent, and may miss.... On my other side, were a couple, who I swear did not praise anything Wigan did all game, only cristsised every error, every time a player was tackled, no praise at all, just moaning, whining and telling me how crap various players were... Guy says to me 'oh he (Smith) will miss!'... I said 'Well maybe, let's just see'.... He missed, and I swear, the 'Wigan fan' could not have been happier to have been vindicated... "Told you" he said with a huge beam on his face..... let's remember, his team have just missed a crucial 2 points, and the was grinning like a Cheshire Cat.... I looked at him, without a smile, and said "Well at least you're happy"... End of any further conversations.... lol

I really wonder what people like this get out of 'Supporting' their team..... Each to their own I suppose. I pity the poor sods who sit near them week in week out.

I can't understand this attitude. Each to their own, I suppose if they pay their money.

With Smith I always watched him kick with hope rather than expectation. It's fair to note he wasn't a regular kicker until Pat left and he put his hand up to have a go.

As has been mentioned by others, he may not have hit the heights every week, but he always gave 100% and his professionalism was superb.
We needed a kicker - he put the hours in and stood up to be counted
We needed a drop goal specialist - he broke the Club record!
He was a leader on the field, and never gave up. Attributes that were maximised in our triumph this year, when we were missing so many senior players.

Good luck to him. He's certainly earned his corn for us. And one of the players that its difficult to find a bad word for.

Wire. Big fee.

I hope to God this is booolloocckkss.