Smith: Happy with contribution

• Harry Smith shares his thoughts after Sunday’s victory over Wakefield Trinity.

• Half-back played 70 minutes at Emerald Headingley Stadium after replacing an injured Tommy Leuluai.

• Smith: “I was happy with what I brought to the team.”

After kicking a late drop-goal that proved to be the difference in Sunday’s 22-23 win over Wakefield Trinity, Wigan Warriors half-back Harry Smith has expressed his delight in his own performance.

The 20-year-old played 70 minutes at Emerald Headingley Stadium after replacing Tommy Leuluai, who suffered an ankle injury.

And Smith’s mature display saw him be awarded the Betfred Man of the Match on Sky Sports and two Steve Prescott Man of Steel points. 

He said: “I was happy with what I brought to the team. Unfortunately, Tommy came off earlier than expected – hopefully he’s okay. 

“I thought I did well, though I do think I could have got my hands on the ball a bit more in the second half. Overall, I was happy with what I did.

“The drop-goal was a good moment and it obviously helped us get the win in the end. Sam Powell was shouting at me the set before to go for it, but to do it at that time I did was perfect.”

Cool as ❄️

🎯 The @harrytsmith7 drop-goal that proved to be the difference 🙌#WWRL pic.twitter.com/TpMjDjAgH4

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) August 10, 2020

Despite playing behind closed doors and without any fans, the England Knights scrum-half believes his team coped well with the new experience.

“It was strange when we scored tries and you couldn’t hear anything,” he said. “It was really weird and it was a bit eerie, but I thought we created a good atmosphere ourselves as a team and got up for it and got the win.”

Next up for Wigan in the Betfred Super League is Leeds Rhinos on Saturday at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium.

And Smith is hoping he can get his chance again and make an impact within Adrian Lam’s team. 

“Hopefully, I’ll get the chance again – in what will be a tough game against Leeds. After their heavy loss to St Helens at the weekend, they’ll be up for it and will want to respond, so it will be a good game. 

“If we go into it complacent – it can come back to bite us, but if we have the right attitude and play how we know we can play – hopefully we’ll get a positive result.”