Smith hails rise of Dwyer

Tony Smith was a happy man after Warrington thrashed Widnes 40-0 and was particularly impressed with Brad Dywer’s standout performance.

Dywer scored two tries in the first half and looked dangerous as the Wire dismantled the Vikings in a festive friendly.

Smith revealed after the match that the hooker has been working hard on his conditioning in pre-season.

“Brad was terrific,” he said.

“He’s done a lot of work on his fitness. He’s always had the ability, he’s always been a go-er in terms of he’ll back himself.

“He’s become a bit more rounded as a player now. He’s had to work on fitness.

“If you’re going to play hooker nowadays you have to be very, very fit.

“He’s always been a go-er but not fit enough to play hooker for very long. He can play hooker now.”

Dywer is competing with England international Daryl Clark for the starting hooker position at Warrington.

The 22-year old made 16 appearances for the Wolves in 2015, scoring one try and setting up two, after returning on loan from London.

Smith said Dwyer has also added some bulk to his 83 kg, 173cm frame.

“I think he’s put on some weight,” he said.

“Brad may well have changed shape there a bit. He’s looking to get himself fitter to play more game-time this year.

“I thought he had some real impact at times last year but it’d be nice to be able to rely him to stay on the field a bit longer and not burn out.

“He was good [today].”

Smith described the 40-0 friendly victory as a “good, solid” display from his team.

New signings Kurt Gidley, Tom Lineham and Jack Hughes made their Wire debuts, with Lineham bagging a try and Gidley nailing five from five conversions.

“I don’t think you can expect too much from them at this time of the year,” he said.

“When you through them together for the first time in terms of playing… The new boys and the old boys complimented each other.

“The longer it went with a zero scoreline it became a bit of a thing for all of them, which was good.

“There was good focus [in defence]. Credit to all the young boys who came on.

“Some of them had their first-ever taste of a first-grade game so it was good for them and that they came through it.

“There was some good combinations going in the first lot.

“Kurt was just well in control of things, which made everybody else feel in control of things, which is part of his role.

“I thought he was outstanding there. Jack Hughes fitted in terrific.

“He looks like he’s been one of our players for a while.

“Rhys Evans I thought was another standout.”