Matty Smith: Wigan Warriors half-back extends contract

Matty Smith scored 21 points as Wigan thrashed Huddersfield on Thursday

Wigan half-back Matty Smith has signed a new four-year contract until 2018.

The 27-year-old moved to Wigan from Salford in July 2012 after the Warriors paid a fee to bring him to the club midway through the season.

Smith, named in the Super League Dream Team for a second time this week, won the Lance Todd Trophy for his display in their 2013 Challenge Cup final win.

"Wigan have surpassed all the promises that were made when they originally signed me," said Smith.

"My game has improved significantly under the guidance of [head coach] Shaun Wane, who was an important factor in me extending my stay."

The scrum-half, who is a former Everton Football Club apprentice, came through the academy ranks at St Helens and had loans at Widnes and Crusaders before moving to Salford in 2010.

Former Wigan Warriors full-back Sam Tomkins was back watching his brother Joel and his old team-mates beat Huddersfield, alongside the 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins

The England international was an instrumental part of the Wigan side that completed a league and cup double last season.

Smith scored 21 points as the reigning Super League champions thrashed Huddersfield 57-4 in the first of this term's play-off games, securing a week off before the semi-finals.

"I was really pleased how we went about our business - our attack was very, very crisp and I thought our completions were good," Wane told BBC Radio Manchester.

"I challenged the players with quite a few things this week and they've turned up with a real good attitude and did exactly what I wanted to do.

"We'll make sure the players are fresh for the semi-final. We're only 80 minutes away from a Grand Final and that is where we want to be."