If there is one NRL club that has a great track record with English recruits, it is the Canberra Raiders and Morgan Smithies is their latest project.
With previous recruitment success with the likes of Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead, the Raiders will have the faith that Smithies can replicate their feats.
Smithies, still only 22, made his Super League debut with Wigan in 2019, going on to play in 114 games.
His last season with Wigan was a good one that saw the side win the Super League Grand Final, as well as a first English cap for Smithies.
Smithies, who is primarily a lock that can cover back-row, is a signing that the Raiders believe will succeed.
“Morgan has already achieved a lot of success in his short career, and we’re very excited about him joining the club over the next three seasons,” Raiders NRL Recruitment Manager Joel Carbone said.
“He’s come from a very strong, successful system, which will put him in good stead in his transition into the NRL.”
Carbone also praised his relative experience despite playing the game for only for a few years.
“We expect him to add substantial value to our team and complement our young core moving forward,” Carbone continued.
While he’s only a young man himself, he has already played over 100 first-team games, including Super League & Challenge Cup finals, and will come over a Super League champion after their grand final win only a few weeks ago.”