Raiders star lifts lid on plan for English recruit

Canberra Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead has given an insight into the club's new recruit Morgan Smithies as the Englishman looks to complement a forward pack full of representative stars. Smithies packed down at lock for the Raiders' second trial match against the Cowboys, seemingly an indication to how coach Ricky Stuart will look to utilise the 23-year-old. The former Wigan forward will join fellow England star Whitehead, State of Origin representatives Hudson Young and Josh Papalii along with Kiwis prop Joseph Tapine in a strong forward pack. Speaking before trials, Whitehead admitted he wasn't overly aware of Smithies' talents before he joined the club. "I didn't really know Morgan before we signed him, he's really settled in well," he told Wide World of Sports. "I knew he was a good defender but in training he's showed he's got a lot of quality in attack as well so I'm looking forward to playing alongside him, hopefully he brings us that little bit of ball-playing in the middle." The second-rower added there was more to Smithies than he expected in training. "I'd heard good things about his defence and he works hard, does all the little things and one percenters not many people see but like I said, he's showed a lot more than what I'd heard of him," he said. "He's a fit kid, works hard in training with his fitness and his ball-playing skills are really good ... hopefully he brings that kind of Isaah Yeo kind of role." Having signed with the Raiders in 2016, Whitehead is in the last year of his contract and it's likely that's where his playing career will end. The former Bradford Bulls and Catalans Dragons forward has seen many Englishmen leave the club during his time and is grateful for Smithies' presence, admitting "I was the last one standing". "It helps to have someone else understanding me instead of no one, it's good to have him," he said. "We've had a few Englishmen over the last eight years I've been here and I was the last one standing so to get another one on board is good and hopefully we can get a few more in the years to come." A veteran of 24 Test matches, Whitehead ended his career with England during the recent three-Test series against Tonga.