Smith Returns To Bolster Reds While Robbie Set For Recovery

June 3, 2009 by Paul Mc

Kiwi Stand-Off Jeremy Smith will return to the starting 17 for Friday night’s rematch with Wigan Warriors at the JJB. He replaces the injured Robbie Paul who has a neck injury.

Smith will be one definite change to the line-up but Darrell Goulding, on loan from the Warriors, is also expected to take his place after being cup-tied for the first game and Head Coach Shaun McRae will be looking for a huge improvement in his side’s completion rate after they bowed out of the Carnegie Challenge Cup last weekend at the hands of the same opposition.

“Robbie has a neck problem that flares up from time to time so he needs a week to rest it. We have no game the week after so he effectively gets a fortnight off so he should be fine for the game after that,” said McRae.

“One of my thoughts is that Jeremy will most likely go to the bench and play a similar role that that which Robbie was performing.

“We must learn from the defeat last weekend. Wigan will be confident after the manner of their win. They played very well while we were probably acceptable in the first half and poor in the second. We’ll be looking to control the ball much better and general improve all areas.

“We aren’t setting any targets for the season other than to do well in the rest of the campaign. We obviously are now not in the cup anymore, and while it is a bit if a cliche, we can now concentrate on our performances in the Super League.”

Reds 19 Man Squad to face Wigan Warriors:
Wilshere, Talau, Goulding, Henry, Smith, Myler, Sibbit, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Ratchford, Adamson, Jewitt, Thornley