Morgan Smithies surprising stance on return to Super League and Wigan Warriors

In a newly-released interview, former Wigan Warriors star Morgan Smithies has revealed that he’s planning on staying Down Under.

The 23-year-old made his Super League debut in 2019 for Wigan Warriors, and won the 2022 Challenge Cup and the 2023 Super League Grand Final with the Cherry and Whites.

At just 18, he set a Super League record for the highest number of tackles in a game, when he made 72.

After the conclusion of the 2023 season, he moved to NRL side Canberra Raiders.

Speaking to The Mirror, the forward revealed that he’s enjoying his time there: “I’m loving it. I knew it’d take a few games to get into the swing of things.

“But I like the style of play here: it’s more like a grind, which is my type of game.

“I’m chilled here and feel I can focus on my rugby.

“There’s not too much media coverage over here (in Canberra compared to the rest of the NRL) so I feel it’s perfect for someone like me who just wants to focus on playing week in week out and concentrate on rugby.

“I signed a three-year deal and, if we were to talk about extending, I’d be happy to.

“I’m not missing too much from home.

“I moved out to Wigan when I was 16 so I’m used to it.

“I had two years left on my Wigan deal and there’s some stuff in there [his contract] but I don’t think I’ll be coming back.”

Morgan Smithies’ future away from Wigan Warriors

Smithies is an England international, and will likely remain in contention for a starting role for the national side, despite fierce competition for the number 13 shirt from St Helens’ Morgan Knowles and fellow NRL star Victor Radley.

He made his full debut in a 64-0 win against France in 2023 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium after first being selected for the England Knights side in 2019.

However, he insists that’s not at the front of his mind:

“There is a lot of competition isn’t there? But my main focus is playing well for Raiders and getting that first season under my belt.

“Here, with the competition being as good as it is, if you take your eye off the ball and start thinking about international stuff or the end of the season, you’re only one bad game away from being dropped.

“I want to play for England – but it’s Raiders first.”

Read the full interview here.