“Smithies has Finally Agreed move to NRL”

The  Superb  forward has a contract with the NRL through the 2024 campaign.

The grand final-winning loose forward for the Wigan Warriors, Morgan Smithies, is reportedly close to joining the Canberra Raiders for the upcoming NRL season. According to Rugby League Live, the England international is about to sign a contract to relocate to Australia, and the Warriors will earn a sizable transfer fee as part of the agreement.

Smithies, who has recently emerged as one of the top young forwards in the Super League, is reportedly close to signing with the Raiders. One of the top defenders in the league, Smithies is from Halifax and played the full 80 minutes at Old Trafford on Saturday, leading the game with 55 tackles.

Since making his debut as a teenager, he has been a pillar of the Wigan team. He has almost 100 appearances in cherry and white as of now, and throughout that time, he has won every domestic award available. With Smithies ready to become the fourth player in recent years to switch from Wigan to Canberra, a new challenge now lies ahead. He’ll walk the same route as Ryan Sutton, Harry Rushton, George Williams, and John Bateman.

Adam Keighran, who will play for the Wigan Warriors, was suspended following the Grand Final. Of course, Wigan has bolstered its roster significantly for 2024, adding England forward Luke Thompson the following year. Matt Peet’s pack options will be strengthened by the addition of young forwards Tiaki Chan and Sam Walters from the Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos, respectively, as well as the mid-season acquisition of Tyler Dupree from Salford.

Smithies played 31 games for the Warriors throughout the season, making his England debut in the mid-season test against France. He finished the season with a success percentage of 95.8% and fourth place in the Super League’s tackle ratings.