Eels defend Tim Smith
By James Phelps
March 27, 2007 12:00
Article from: The Daily Telegraph
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PARRAMATTA hooker PJ Marsh has leapt to the defence of underfire Eels halfback Tim Smith, yesterday declaring him the third best halfback in rugby league.
In a strong vote of confidence, Marsh said only incumbent Test No. 7 Johnathan Thurston and the world's best player Andrew Johns were ahead of Smith in the playmaking stakes.
"I have played with Tim now for three years," Marsh said.
"You have Andrew Johns and then Johnathan Thurston. Tim Smith is next.
"He is the best young player I have played with."
The generous praise is sure to spark debate with Matt Orford, Cooper Cronk, Craig Gower and Scott Prince all to figure in representative calculations later this year.
Smith and former Rooster Brett Finch have come under heavy fire after the Eels' poor start to the year, with the club yet to register a win.
Eels legend Brett Kenny yesterday said Smith, 2005 NRL rookie of the year, should be given one more week to prove himself or face the axe.
"A couple of years ago people were comparing him to Sterlo. He has shown he is not as good as everyone thought he would be," Kenny said.
"I don't think it is panic stations yet but if they don't perform they will have to git rid of one of them.
"Apparently the five-eighth in Premier League (Blake Green) is pretty good.
"If they don't perform they will have to bring him in and give him a run. I don't think dropping both of them would be the solution but maybe one will have to go if they don't start to strike up a combination."
But the experienced Marsh said Smith and Finch should not wear the blame for Parramatta's winless start to the year. "Tim is only 21," Marsh said. "I can't remember too many young halfbacks that good. He is a great player.
"And Finchy is just a fantastic competitor. Come round 21 or 22 they will both still be putting in and that's all you can ask. They are two little blokes and they will come good.
"You can't go blaming two blokes, there were 17 of us on the field against Souths."
Marsh, 27, said the Eels would be boosted by the return of inspirational back-rower Nathan Hindmarsh.
"Mentally I think it will be a bit of a boost if Hindmarsh returns this week. He adds a lot to the side," Marsh said.
"Nathan Hindmarsh, his name says it all. We just love having him in the side and it's workrate speaks for itself."
Eels captain Nathan Cayless said his side would be looking for redemption against the Tigers on Friday night.
"It is not that bad but we have to turn it around quickly," Cayless said.
"It's good the Tiger's game is on Friday night because we won't have time to dwell on yesterday's loss.
"We are well below the standards we set in the pre-season with completion rates and errors. We need to pick it up and stop turning the ball over."
