SYDNEY - Kiwis prop Craig Smith looks likely to quit the NRL at the end of the season to finish his career in England.
Smith, who is sitting out a six-match ban for a high tackle and will miss the test against France on June 10, is into the last year of his contract with St George Illawarra.
He is considering offers from England, understood to be from Wigan and St Helens.
His manager, Sam Ayoub, said yesterday that a move to the Northern Hemisphere was the probable scenario, but Smith had also sought permission from the Dragons to speak to other NRL clubs.
"At this stage, one would have to say that England is the most likely prospect, but I would certainly not rule him out of remaining in the NRL," Ayoub said.
"We are just waiting to see if St George Illawarra will give him consent to talk to other clubs in Australia. We sent them a request yesterday and we are hopeful of a reply in a few days, one way or the other."
Media reports in Sydney indicate that the Dragons skipper is disillusioned with the new offer put to him by the club.
Although the deal is potentially worth the same as the original offer, the sign-on fee has reportedly been cut from $A350,000 ($429,000) to $A200,000 ($245,000), with the difference being made up by incentive payments.
The move to incentives comes as Smith, 29, is in the midst of his third suspension of the season.
He had already missed a total of three weeks after twice being banned for lifting his knee at tacklers.
Ayoub said finances and Smith's problems with the NRL judiciary would have a bearing on his decision about his future.
"It won't be based entirely on the finances, but obviously they will play a big part as this will probably be his last contract," he said.
Smith has been in superb form when he has been on the field this season, and Ayoub said the front rower was disappointed at having to cool his heels on the sidelines again.
- NZPA
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