No disrespect MR but if Smith turns his back on RL then RL should do the same thing to Smith IMHO.

Agree totally. I can not see any benefit in picking a guy who in 4 weeks leaves our great game. Also surprised Waps allowed this to happen.

Just dont get it at all. Dont think many fans do get it to be honest. Why give Lee Smith a game when Tom Briscoe or other young backs could be getting the experience for the future.

Exactly Smith (Tony) keeps going on about the future then picks a player who has given RL the fingers.
Madness.

Agree 100%.

Smith now earns his corn playing union and thats fine... but I expect him to be dropped from the League team. What message does this give to players RL players if not!

In Australia you play abroad and you're not considered - never mind leave the sport!

He made a FINANCIAL decision (not professional as you have claimed) to leave RL for RU purely for more money that in itself is a lack of respect.
Put it this way would you expect a company that has put time and effort in training up 1 of it juniors to then see them walk away purely for more money then invite him to their chrimbo party?
Also Smith (Tony) has repeatedly stated that he is going to give youth a go to help in the future.
Do you agree that flys in the face of him now including union boy?

The tone of the points above were around what benefit it brings to the set up of english rugby league to pick someone who clears off and is inelligible from the following week.

Don't see the distinction between financial and professional. Professional players play for money. As fans we love the game, but we don't rely on it to pay the bills.



If the worker has been head-hunted because he is brilliant and you have a really important project to complete while he is working his notice, I'd use him. The weakness with that is that IMO, Lee Smith is decent and versatile, but not brilliant.



I see your point there. However in fairness to Tony Smith, he is giving a few youngsters a shot.

He might help us win the 4 nations and give the English game a shot in the arm. I don't think he will as it happens, but Tony Smith chooses the squad. If he was retiring from the sport to become an insurance salesman or a publican would you be so against his inclusion? I'm sure plenty of players have announced they intended to retire before tournaments start - you have to try to win today as well as build for tomorrow.

It'd be mad if Leeds had dropped Smith for the GF, or Saints had dropped Long for that matter.

I can see your argument in that you should pick the best players available at this moment in time ie not because of age or building for future World Cups etc. Its why I think Keith Senior should be left centre because he is currently the best left centre who qualifies for England. I am more surprised that Waps are happy to let him play and delay going to them for another month.

Yeah I was surprised too. Maybe Edwards doing his bit for inter-code relations. Senior has looked as good as ever, this year, so I'd agree with you there as well. Lee Smith, who ironically I've always talked down, can play anywhere in the backs to a moderate standard and that is useful in a 24 man squad.

I actually think Smith may well be cover for Briscoe at full back looking at the squad make up.

Cannot understand O'Loughlin at centre though (if it is in preperation for the Aussies). Its almost like saying we cant beat you in attack in the centres so we are playing a strong defender!

One, thats a negative attitude which probably will not work against Inglis et al anyway and two stopping a young English centre (Shenton, Clubb?) from playing against him at this level. Surely the best experience a kid can get is playing in the big games?

Seems bizarre doesn't it? What will we learn about whether it is a viable tactic vs NWZ or Aus in a game against an extremely weak looking Wales team? Shenton is playing tonight iirc, but Clubb or one of a handful of others could have had a confidence building run out. If O'Loughlin plays centre in the 4 nations, it'd show T. Smith has lost all faith in English 3/4s, IMO. Sometimes you can see the sense in an unorthodox idea - Pryce in the centres, for example. But this is very leftfield. Tbh, it is so strange, I'd kind of dismissed the idea it'll be used again - you've worried me a bit.