tvoc wrote:Smith was the better player in that position at that time. If McClennan couldn't see that he wouldn't be much of a judge.
However off the field he'd be the one to know what was the issue.
Akshwally cast yer mind back. Smith scored 2 tries against KR in the 1st game last year. His all around game was poor though. Mclennan commented on this.
The revisionists who now proclaim Smith as the Messiah weren't up in arms when he was replaced by Hall for the next game.
Hall went on to score two cracking tries against Huddersfield. The revisionists proclaimed him wonderful and Smith barely warranted a mention. However, the more sagely amongst us, ie me, noted Hall's around game and in particular defence was poor. Mclennan though so and Smith got back in.
The season continued in similar vein until Smith made Mclennan's decision easy by being a "very naught boy".
Smith's form last season was patchy. He certainly hit his straps in the Wigan eliminator and Grand Final and started this season the same. However, let's not re-write what he was doing overall last year.