Morgan Smithies

Morgan Smithies
Personal information
Full name	Morgan Smithies
Born	7 November 2000 (age 24); Halifax, West Yorkshire, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	16 st 10 lb (106 kg)
Playing information
Position	Lock, Second-row
Club
Representative
	Source: As of 7 September 2024

Morgan Smithies (born 7 November 2000) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a lock and second-row forward for the Canberra Raiders in the NRL and both England and the England Knights at international level.^[3]

He previously played for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League.

Background

Smithies was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. He attended The Brooksbank School.^[4]

Career

Wigan Warriors

In 2019 he made his Super League début for Wigan against the Catalans Dragons.^[5] He played in the 2020 Super League Grand Final which Wigan lost 8-4 against St Helens.^[6] On 28 May 2022, Smithies played for Wigan in their 2022 Challenge Cup Final victory over Huddersfield.^[7] On 1 June 2022, Smithies was banned for four matches over two dangerous high tackles which occurred during Wigan's Challenge Cup final win.^[8] On 14 October 2023, Smithies played in Wigan's 2023 Super League Grand Final victory over the Catalans Dragons.^[9]

Canberra Raiders

On 31 October 2023, it was confirmed that he would join Canberra starting in the 2024 season on a three-year deal. In round 1 of the 2024 NRL season, Smithies made his club debut for Canberra in their victory over Newcastle.^[10] Smithies played 24 games for Canberra in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 9th on the table.^[11]

International career

In 2019 he was selected for the England Knights against Jamaica at Headingley Rugby Stadium.^[12]

He made his full England début on 29 April 2023 in the 64-0 victory over France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

References

^ "Player Summary: Morgan Smithies". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
^ Rugby League Project
^ "England Knights v Jamaica". WWOS. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
^ Bower, Aaron (25 March 2022). "How cup heartbreak as a junior fuels Morgan Smithies' desire for Challenge Cup success". Manchester Evening News.
^ "Super League: Wigan Warriors 42-0 Catalans Dragons". BBC.
^ "Super League Grand Final: Wigan 4-8 St Helens". BBC Sport.
^ "Challenge Cup final: Huddersfield Giants 14-16 Wigan Warriors". www.bbc.co.uk. 26 May 2022.
^ "Morgan Smithies receives four-match ban despite avoiding punishment in Wigan Warriors' Challenge Cup win". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk.
^ "Wigan Warriors crowned Super League champions after downing Dragons". www.theguardian.com.
^ "NRL told they will 'love' Morgan Smithies following confirmation of Canberra Raiders move: 'He's all action'". Love Rugby League. 31 October 2023.
^ "The Mole's end-of-season review: The 'wasted' enforcer Ricky Stuart must 'fire up' in 2025". www.nine.com.au.
^ "England Knights vs Jamaica". WWOS. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.

External links

[1] "Player Summary: Morgan Smithies". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 4 April 2023.

[2] Rugby League Project

[England_Knights_v_Jamaica-3] "England Knights v Jamaica". WWOS. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.

[4] Bower, Aaron (25 March 2022). "How cup heartbreak as a junior fuels Morgan Smithies' desire for Challenge Cup success". Manchester Evening News.

[5] "Super League: Wigan Warriors 42-0 Catalans Dragons". BBC.

[6] "Super League Grand Final: Wigan 4-8 St Helens". BBC Sport.

[7] "Challenge Cup final: Huddersfield Giants 14-16 Wigan Warriors". www.bbc.co.uk. 26 May 2022.

[8] "Morgan Smithies receives four-match ban despite avoiding punishment in Wigan Warriors' Challenge Cup win". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk.

[9] "Wigan Warriors crowned Super League champions after downing Dragons". www.theguardian.com.

[10] "NRL told they will 'love' Morgan Smithies following confirmation of Canberra Raiders move: 'He's all action'". Love Rugby League. 31 October 2023.

[11] "The Mole's end-of-season review: The 'wasted' enforcer Ricky Stuart must 'fire up' in 2025". www.nine.com.au.

[England_Knights_vs_Jamaica-12] "England Knights vs Jamaica". WWOS. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.

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