Smith reacts to Hull FC win
- Harry Smith reflected on Wigan Warriors’ pre-season victory over Hull FC at the MKM Stadium.
- Smith: “Weβll rest up and review this game before going straight back into training to look at building on this performance.”
- Watch full post-match reaction with Matt Peet, Harry Smith and Kaide Ellis on Wigan TV HERE.
Harry Smith reflected on a dominant pre-season display as Wigan Warriors recorded a 40-0 victory over Hull FC at the MKM Stadium.
The half-back featured for the first time in pre-season as Matt Peet’s side scored seven unanswered tries against their Super League counterparts.
Reflecting on the victory in West Hull, Smith said: “Hull FC brought a tough challenge at the start due to our ill-discipline and errors which pinned us in our own half. It presented a good opportunity to practice our goal line defence and keeping them out, which we were able to do in keeping them to zero points.”
In addition to praising the Warriors’ defensive efforts, Smith applauded the attacking performance – especially in the second half which saw Wigan cross for six tries.
Smith said: “Part of friendlies is about getting those combinations and flows right between players ready for when the start of the season comes. We were a bit sloppy in the first half and produced a few too many errors, but we showed in the second that things will come with some nice tries scored.”
Having been named the Player of the Series in England’s Test win over Tonga in the off-season, Smith continued his impressive form at the MKM Stadium as he recorded four assists and as many goals in the 65 minutes he played.
Speaking on the newly formed ‘healthy kicking competition’ with Adam Keighran, who took over the responsibility in the final stages, Smith said: “Adam’s a good lad and I’ve enjoyed working alongside him. I know I need to be on my game week in week out if I want to keep the cone, but it was nice to kick a few over and hopefully I can take that into Round One.”
Reflecting on pre-season, Smith added: “It’s been a bit different as everything has been zero to a hundred but I’ve really enjoyed it. The new players have brought a lot and the lads that played last year still have that belief and energy that got us a Grand Final. If we can take that into these first few games of the season then it will put us in good stead.”
Looking ahead to the Warriors’ first Super League fixture of the season against Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, Smith said: “Pre-season’s been tough but we’ve been working towards this first game. Weβll rest up and review this game before going straight back into training to look at building on this performance.”
“We’ll put together a tough week of training so that we can take it to Castleford as we know it’s a tough ground to go to and that they will be flying.”
Watch further post-match reaction with Matt Peet and Kaide Ellis on Wigan TV HERE. Read Tyler Dupree’s reflection on the victory HERE.
Harry Smith is sponsored by Bluesky Plumbing.