It seems like years that we've had a field kicking performance like that especially in an important game against arguably the best team in the league.

We've been subjected to poor kicks on the last from Tommy, Hastings and others where kicks with not much distance on them straight to the opposition full back or wingers that are taken with ease, followed up by a half d defence.

Smith's place kicking on Saturday was sublime, splitting the backline almost everytime, good distance on each kick too which kept Saints early set count in their own twenty/forty. We know that Briers had a great kicking game and causing us massive issues over the years.

I'm trying to think back to the last great performance where our place kicking played such a crucial part to winning an important game and the one that comes to mind is Matty Smiths MOM performance in the Challenge Cup win versus Hull FC in the rain.

Having such a skill is a big feather in our cap going forward through the season and in a game of territory it's such an important aspect in our strategy.

Great to see.

Agreed, thought Smith's kicking was excellent. He doesn't look out of place in there at all right now.

I don't think I've heard myself saying "Great kick" to myself so many times in a very long time! If Smith can keep his recent form going Tommy will have a struggle getting his place back.

Watching someone continually finding the turf and splitting the oppositions wings/fullback was a pleasure after seemingly years of dollying on the full to the opposition

So happy for Harry Smith. The pressure on him has been huge and he’s struggled to make his mark but it looks to be coming good for him now. The kid who toyed with the Aussie youngsters is showing those skills in first team rugby now and long May it continue. He needs to keep working hard but there’s no reason why he can’t keep his place and keep this form going.

He kicked very well indeed and adds further weight to the argument that the injury to Leulaui has made you stronger not weaker due to Smith now playing every week.

It's also clear that he is much more confident now that he hasn't got Hastings playing next to him wanting to touch the ball every tackle of every set.

I think it's really hard to judge when they have different strengths and weaknesses. I agree that Smith's kicking game was a big part of us getting over the line against you, but as I said on the match thread, Tommy's defence in a key position could have played an equally important role (potentially bigger? who knows) in stemming the flow for the spell when you were rolling us over in the second half.

I think you're right about the confidence point too, although I don't think it's a coincidence either that his improvement has come during a season where our forwards are much more competitive. Hopefully a sign of things to come as it's becoming harder and harder for SL teams to recruit top class half backs.

Indeed. If a half's kicking game improves (and we certainly can't claim that Smith has consistently 'found the grass' before as he did against Saints), then surely having that little bit more time and space to make the kick is going to be a big factor. Plus general increased confidence, etc.

Don't get used to it, once Tommy's back Smith will be put back into his box due to nobody having the bollox to say no to Tommy

Zzzzz...

So you don't think Tommy will walk back into position when he's back?
His reluctance to retire is holding Smith and the club back
Everyone knows this is true but nobody wants to say it due to Tommy's legendary status

I will now await the usual Troll accusations etc etc

His reluctance to retire????
How do you know he didn't want to and was persuaded by the club to extend?
How can he want to carry on and the club not want him to when he didn't have a contract?

You sound like Medlocke off the other site (

)

Just more total nonsense

Tommy has been outstanding this season. We’re very lucky to have a guy like that to help guide Harry Smith and Cade Cust (who isn’t hugely experienced himself). I noticed Tommy sat with Harry Smith at half time deep in conversation. How good must it be to have a World Cup winner to lean on for advice in big games?!

That's fair enough, but when Tommy plays in the half's he holds Smith back, If fans want Tommy on the pitch then it must be at 9, I'd be happy with that but we all know the Golden Boy will have to play and slow us down at 9

Thanks, He is a very knowledgeable bloke who has some great theories and ideas, your comment means a lot

I wouldn’t be against playing him at 9, I’m just happy he’s in the squad. I’m not coming at this from an angle of wanting Tommy back in the side because Smith should keep his spot for me (presuming he keeps this form up) but nobody can say Tommy hasn’t been worth his place or shouldn’t still be at the club. He’s been outstanding this season and we’re lucky to have 3 quality options in the halves and to not have the need to play a young centre at stand off, like Saints needed to do on Saturday.

10 for effort mate!

But surely, if Tommy wasn't in the squad i.e if he retired, then "golden boy" would be our back up 7.

What are you suggesting here? Tommy shouldn't start, or he should have retired. That's two whole separate arguments imo.

Hopefully Smith carries on his recent good form and keeps Tommy out the team when he is available again. Hopefully Tommy will tutor Smith when he isnt playing

Was worth a try mate