TONY Smith has called on everybody at the club to get behind Matt King and help him rediscover his best form.

The 28-year-old Australian issued a public apology this week after making an offensive gesture to fans during Saturday’s defeat at Harlequins.

King reacted after he became a target for supporters’ frustrations at the 60-8 embarassment.

But Smith hopes the Warrington faithful can forgive King and says it is in their best interest to support, not sledge, the former Test winger.

He said: “It was wrong what he did, he knows that.

“He put his hand up straight after the game and he was almost in tears with me walking across the field because he let himself down.

“He just cracked under a barrage of abuse. I can’t say what he did is the right thing by any means but I understand that people have breaking points, it’s a tough one.

"He just needs to get on with playing rugby league.

"He needs to rebuild, his confidence is low, like many other players, and we need to get him back to his best and his prepared to do that. I’m feeling a whole lot for him at the moment too.

"It wasn’t right, what he did, but we need to support him and those people round him and close to him certainly will support him in the right way.

"I think he’s a class player and a class person.

"He’s determined to get things right and I think we’ll get there and he’ll get there. It takes a bit of time and some work.

“I’ve got great hope with Matt. I’m going to help rebuild his confidence and stick by him.

“If we get onside with him and get behind him, he’ll get back quicker. So those people who really want him to get back will help him along not hinder him.”