Cheesed off: Souths recruit to miss six weeks after injuring knee in defeat to Manly
Smith, making his debut for Souths and playing for the first time since he tore his anterior cruciate ligament last September, while at the Sydney Roosters, fell awkwardly in a tackle by Manly prop Matthew Lodge five minutes from full-time.
He limped from the field in obvious discomfort and Souths coach Wayne Bennett said afterwards the Kiwi international had suffered suspected medial ligament damage, which could rule him out for 'six to eight weeks'.
Asked if he had any concerns about the tackle, Bennett replied: 'It's up to them [the match review panel] to decide, but we're not playing with a lot of luck, and we didn't get any there from that decision, either … I'm frustrated by a lot of things right now, but it's not going to do me no good.'
Smith's latest injury was to his right knee – the same one that required reconstructive surgery last year.
Asked about Smith's mood, Bennett said: 'He's happy that it's only six to eight weeks, instead of eight months. At least he can see the light at the end of the tunnel this time.'
Manly coach Anthony Seibold: 'I haven't had a look at it, but it wasn't a penalty from that one. I'm not sure. I'd have to have a look at it.'
Smith's injury was another body blow for Souths, who slumped to their sixth consecutive defeat and remain 16th on the competition ladder, six points adrift of the eight with seven rounds to play.
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