Smith’s back for swansong at Headingley
THREE-TIME Super League Grand Final winner Lee Smith admits he didn’t need too much persuading to come out of retirement and play Rugby Union for a third time.
Smith called time on his highly decorated Leeds Rhinos career in January aged 32 but he is now back out on the rugby field again, as part of Yorkshire Carnegie’s new era.
Smith said: “I retired from rugby in January, and I was done and happy with what I had done in Rugby League – and in Rugby Union if I am totally honest because I knew I’d have to move away, which I wasn’t prepared to do with a family at home and the kids settled in school.
“Then this came along. I still felt like I could play so I sat down with Martyn (Wood, DoR), Joe (Ford, head coach), and Chris (Gibson, managing director) and said, if there is an opportunity, I am ready for it.”
The former England RL and Great Britain winger played over 250 games for the Rhinos as well as turning out for Wakefield, Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions. He also experienced top-flight Union with Wasps (2009) and Newcastle (2015), but only played a handful of games across the two spells. Nevertheless, his big game nous and rugby knowledge is sure to add value to an embryonic squad trying to find its feet.
“I’ve achieved things in Rugby League that a lot of players will never get to experience. I’ve won three Grand Finals, played for England, played at Wembley and won man-of-the-match awards in big games.
“But it always ate away at me that I didn’t play enough games in the Premiership.”
Smith, who alternated between RL and RU up until he signed for the Rhinos as a 17-year-old, admits he is still learning the 15-man game.
“In the around the changing room the experience of playing, in either code, can help. I am still learning in Union, especially from Joe who’s been fantastic with the ideas he’s brought across.”
Having not made the matchday 23 for the visit of Bedford today, Smith will have to wait for a while longer before he gets chance to run out at Headingley again, the place he has called home for so long.
“Headingley is a fantastic place to play, especially now (with the redevelopment). I think the lads will grow a leg playing here. Hopefully we can get off to a good start and get confidence from it.”
Forward Callum Bustin (Bradford) and prolific tryscoring winger Ryan Shaw (Hull KR) have also crossed over.