Morgan v Kai: Once were Warriors now NRL rivals

You could argue that the bad luck of others has helped Englishmen Morgan Smithies and Kai Pearce-Paul get a start for their respective clubs in Round 1 but premiership-winning Wigan coach Matt Peet insists luck has nothing to do with it.

Just four months after celebrating a Super League premiership at Old Trafford, the former Wigan teammates will square off when the Knights and Raiders kick off their 2024 campaigns in Newcastle.

While their former coach admits it was hard to say goodbye to two of his best forwards, the recent World Club Challenge winner has no doubts Canberra recruit Smithies and Newcastle's Pearce-Paul are ready for the NRL.

“I'm very confident that if they get a run in the respective teams, they’ll show what they can do,” Peet told NRL.com.

“Whatever they both achieve in the NRL, we won't be shocked by it, we know they're not just going to go over there and be OK footballers.

“They’ve both been in and around the international program and played in grand finals and they're not lucky, they're good players and it's no surprise to see them in those teams.”

Having first noticed Smithies in an Under 12s representative game while working for Wigan’s recruitment team, Peet said the 23-year-old’s competitive nature has always stood out on the field.

Named to make his NRL debut at lock in the absence of suspended Corey Horsburgh, Peet warned the Raiders that Smithies won’t be handing back the jersey anytime soon.

“The first time I watched Morgan he was only 12 but he’s just always been an outstanding player,” Peet said.

“It always stood out just how competitive he was, that was always the outstanding feature in Morgan.

“I’m expecting him to own that No. 13 shirt. He’ll keep his shirt, you can count on that.”

Meanwhile, after recruiting Pearce-Paul from English rugby in 2020, Peet said the 23-year-old quickly rose to be one of the best backrow talents in the Super League.

Named on Adam O'Brien's interchange bench for the elimination-final rematch, Peet is confident Pearce-Paul will turn heads if he gets an opportunity in Newcastle's forward line.

“At the back end of last season, Kai was probably one of the best forwards in the Super League competition,” he said.

“He was out of action with injury for a lot of last season but he managed to work on his strength and he came back and he was outstanding.

“The role that we used Kai was on an edge all through the middle and it gave us great versatility.

“He's a very strong player, he’s got a lot to his game and I think the fans are in for a treat.”

When Peet tunes in from Wigan at 9am London time, it will bring mixed emotions when he sees the former Warriors don new colours but the 39-year-old coach knows losing premiership stars is the reality of leading a successful campaign.

“Every club has these challenges, you look at Penrith who we played just the other week and they've lost some of their best players over the years,” he said.

“They've managed to continue their success and they probably understand that they can't keep all the talent that they produce, and for everyone we lose, we produce more who decide to stay.

“I’m just really looking forward to seeing them both play now. With players that you coach, they're our friends first and foremost, so footy aside, we just want to see our friends doing well for themselves and I wish them the best.”

Despite now living over five hours apart, Smithies said he has been talking to his former teammate over the pre-season but come kick off on Thursday, he knows it'll be his job to shut the athletic forward down.

“I watched him in the trials and thought he went pretty well, you can tell he’s ready for the season,” Smithies told NRL.com.

“He’s looking big so he must have been lifting a few weights throughout the pre-season.

“Kai’s got a good carry, and a very good offload, when he uses it at the right times, it can be so effective."