Smith deserves credit, says King

Smith joined Warrington in March 2009 after spells with Leeds and England

Warrington’s Australian centre Matt King says the club have come a long way under coach Tony Smith in two years.

Smith has led them to two Challenge Cup wins and, after Sunday’s 82-6 victory over Harlequins, they top Super League.

“The club’s moving in the right direction and you’ve got to give Tony Smith a lot of credit for that,” King told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“But the way everyone performed against Harlequins goes to show how far we’ve come in the last couple of years.”

Winger Brett Hodgson, 33, who joined Warrington from Huddersfield in the close season, scored 13 goals and a try against the Londoners at the weekend.

King praised his fellow Australian, and said it was not just his play on the field that has been crucial this season.

I’m still four or five weeks away and I’ve got my sights set on one of the games over Easter Matt King on his recovery from injury

“The old stager, Brett Hodgson, just keeps getting better and better,” King continued. “He’s like a fine red wine and he’s fitting into our team perfectly.

“He has such a calming influence on us. Young Richie Myler has benefited the most and Brett’s taught Richie how to become a calm player and play with his eyes.”

King has been out of action since the opening day defeat to Huddersfield at the Millennium Stadium with a knee injury, but says he is not far from a comeback.

He added: “I’m still four or five weeks away and I’ve got my sights set on one of the games over Easter.”