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By Billy Freeman
January 26, 2005
JASON Smith will literally see his first full game of NRL football in four years next month when he plays in Canberra's first trial against the Bulldogs in Gosford.
The 32-year old has returned to Australia to turn out for the Raiders in 2005 after four years playing for Leeds in the English Super League, culminating with the Rhinos' 18-8 win over Bradford in last year's grand final.
In his time away, he said he only saw a handful of games from home.
"I've barely even watched a game, the last time I saw a game was four years ago," Smith said.
His lack of knowledge of the local game means he is non-committal about his chances of playing representative football this season.
"You wouldn't believe how many people have asked me that," he said.
"But everyone's been telling me how hard and fast it is now so I have to see how I go at it before I start thinking about rep footy."
In his mid-90s prime, Smith was one of the game's most dangerous players, playing 13 State of Origin matches for Queensland and 16 Tests for Australia as a five-eighth or lock.
He has been signed alongside fellow former first grader Matt Adamson, and the pair join captain Simon Woolford and veteran Jason Croker as elder statesmen.
Smith said he is likely to wear the number six jersey this season, with coach Matt Elliott wanting him to fill one of the club's rotating halves positions, with Brad Drew playing there last year largely as a stopgap.
"It looks like it will be five-eighth, that's where I've been training the most," Smith said.
"There's quite a lot of young blokes in this team and we just want to bring these kids along."
Meanwhile, former Canberra prop Luke Davico's career with Wigan has not gotten off to a good start after he aggravated the pectoral injury he had last year just five minutes into a trial match against Salford.
"He has aggravated his pec injury, which is a bit of a blow to us," Wigan coach Denis Betts said.
"I cannot really comment on how bad it is, but they are not normally nice, those things."
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Good to see Smith is being groomed ast the five-eighth and not the halfback, but shocking news about Davico there, the poor bugger can't seem to take a trick.
January 26, 2005
JASON Smith will literally see his first full game of NRL football in four years next month when he plays in Canberra's first trial against the Bulldogs in Gosford.
The 32-year old has returned to Australia to turn out for the Raiders in 2005 after four years playing for Leeds in the English Super League, culminating with the Rhinos' 18-8 win over Bradford in last year's grand final.
In his time away, he said he only saw a handful of games from home.
"I've barely even watched a game, the last time I saw a game was four years ago," Smith said.
His lack of knowledge of the local game means he is non-committal about his chances of playing representative football this season.
"You wouldn't believe how many people have asked me that," he said.
"But everyone's been telling me how hard and fast it is now so I have to see how I go at it before I start thinking about rep footy."
In his mid-90s prime, Smith was one of the game's most dangerous players, playing 13 State of Origin matches for Queensland and 16 Tests for Australia as a five-eighth or lock.
He has been signed alongside fellow former first grader Matt Adamson, and the pair join captain Simon Woolford and veteran Jason Croker as elder statesmen.
Smith said he is likely to wear the number six jersey this season, with coach Matt Elliott wanting him to fill one of the club's rotating halves positions, with Brad Drew playing there last year largely as a stopgap.
"It looks like it will be five-eighth, that's where I've been training the most," Smith said.
"There's quite a lot of young blokes in this team and we just want to bring these kids along."
Meanwhile, former Canberra prop Luke Davico's career with Wigan has not gotten off to a good start after he aggravated the pectoral injury he had last year just five minutes into a trial match against Salford.
"He has aggravated his pec injury, which is a bit of a blow to us," Wigan coach Denis Betts said.
"I cannot really comment on how bad it is, but they are not normally nice, those things."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Good to see Smith is being groomed ast the five-eighth and not the halfback, but shocking news about Davico there, the poor bugger can't seem to take a trick.
