Why isn't Ben Smith starting?

Ben Smith is one of the most reliable defenders in the NRL. In my opinion he is behind only Nathan Hindmarsh as a defender. If Hindy is the first person to start a chase then Smith is right behind him. Smith is constantly in the face of opposition playmakers and putting them under pressure. When Walker got injured against the Cowboys Ben Smith played centre and the Cowboys didn't make another break down that side. When Hindy was put in the bin against the Dogs, Kearney didn't bring Smith on and Idris ran riot down the side that Smith would defend. Kearney needs to realise that attack is as good as defence and by starting Smith against the Dragons it could help to break down the Dragons' attack. Bottom line I've got nothing against Taniel Lasalo but Ben Smith needs to start for the rest of the season.

Replies

elijah April 27, 2011 at 7:47pm

ive always rated smith, and don't think he would be out of place in a N.S.W side
asix April 27, 2011 at 7:53pm

hey this is a great blog. although i am not a fan of smith because he offers nothing in attack , but he is a rock in defence , you just cant get past him. i agree. we need him next to mortimer...and relegate horo back to the bench.
Yo Adrian April 27, 2011 at 7:57pm

I'm a big fan of smith but he has been playing crap lately. In a recent game he got picked up for a dud play the ball and a forward pass off dummy half. He's playing bellow his best and I totally agree with him not starting. If he heeds the wake up call and gets back to his best not only will he start but we'll win more than we lose.
YDIDISAYIDO April 27, 2011 at 7:57pm

Until last week he hasn't been playing well. In fact, last week was the most energetic I have ever seen him play.

I think the key is to have 5 backrowers in your team that can play 80 mins and play them for 60 min and expect more impact... this would be my expectation of Smith and Lasalo in particular.
SuperEel 22 April 27, 2011 at 8:16pm

Thankyou to elijah who said that Smith should be in the NSW side and TL who said that Smith needs to play inside Morts, only thing is I would put Lasalo on the bench instead of Horo because Horo is more reliable than Lasalo. To the rest of you guys: WHAT GAMES HAVE U BEEN WATCHING? Every player is human and they will make mistakes. Burt knocked on at dummy half so does that mean he shouldn't start? Smith is a very good attacker but he needs to be given the ball on the fringes of the ruck with room to move. If he starts to get ball like that he will be very dangerous in attack. Also for Smith it's not how many tries he scores it's how many tries he stops. Time after time he pulls off try saving tackles and is rarely noticed because of Hindy. Smith is also one that reads the play, he continually comes out of the line and shuts down a play before it can develop.
SuperEel 22 April 27, 2011 at 8:42pm

I agree with you on that. I wasn't saying that Horo should be next to Morts just that Horo should be on the field rather than Lasalo. Horo is more damaging in attack and more reliable in defence.
Sinbad !!! April 27, 2011 at 9:03pm

Agreed 100%

I think Lasalo offers more than HORO and is a much better defender and ball runer.

Anyone either 1 of these 2 rookies needs a spell on the bench.

Take your pick SK

Smith is a ROCK !!!!!!!!!!!!
Eeldarado April 27, 2011 at 9:07pm

O'h dear, I aint got my rose coloured glasses on like some here, but seriously Ben Smith in an Origin jumper, never, never ever! the bloke has played poorly well below that expected from a first grader with his experience, and thats why SK has not had him on the park its that simple!!!

Yep great clubman, an eel through and through so loyal yada, yada, yada but the facts are the bloke has been playing shit!!

Kearney realises it and thats why he has been benched, this is the wake up call that some of these players need Kearney demands a certain standard week in week out and Smith has not been delivering , its alright to have a shocker like Burty did on the weekend but he turned around in the same game and made up for it!

The other thing is Smith has alot of competition in the form of Lasalo Horo Shackelton and others all breathing down his neck for a starting position!!

I have nothing against Smith but the bloke has been around for along time almost veteran status and has more than enough experience and really should be showing up the younger players but we have the opposite we have now is a young Tim Mannah showing real playing qualities, and leadership when players like Ben Smith should have been doing it by now!

Sorry not a Ben Smith fan!!
SuperEel 22 April 27, 2011 at 9:30pm

I respect your views and opinions however I do disagree with your views. Smith does display leadership whenever he plays. Also Shackleton is a prop and not competing with Smith for a spot in the back row. It is harder for Smith to be noticed more than Mannah considering Mannah is known more for his attack than his defence. You are comparing 2 players who have different roles in the team. Smith also missed out on an entire season due to a knee injury in 2008. Smith hasn't been playing as bad as you think. Have you missed all of the try scoring tackles he makes and all the dangerous plays he stops before they develop? Smith is worthy of an Origin jersey
asix April 27, 2011 at 9:37pm

,we did it.