Smith had a very good game, but in response to the original question, a big fat NO. Gale and our own Danny are ahead of him in terms of ability.

Smith just did what you would expect a half to do. Good short passing and a decent kicking game. Widdop concentrated on his defence and worked his socks off, thankfully only kicking the ball a couple of times.
Glad McGillvary got a chance. The way we played all three tests didn't suit Burgess, wingers sole use was to smash the ball up out of defence. Hall did it brilliantly the first two games then McGillvary did it on Saturday. He's a cracking player. We have a lot of good wingers around at the moment.

Poor mans Danny Mags. We'd have thrashed the Kiwis with Mags in the Halves.

I think McGuire can count himself very unlucky not to have made the England squad, best half in SL by a mile in 2015, and by no means 'just a support player' as I sometimes see him labelled.

Smith played really well on Saturday and does seem to have that knack of raising his performance for the bigger games.

Widdop & Williams weren't completely awful, but the first two tests did lack that element of control and game management that we saw from Smith.

2 very good kicks, a few reasonable/average kicks, a few poor kicks. He knows his limitations, didn't try anything other than passing along the line. If that's the best we have to offer we are sadly lacking. Fortunately there are better, but not much. Can you imagine Aus/NZ picking a HB just because they are an 'organiser'?
It does seem churlish appearing critical after a good victory, I even jumped out of my seat twice on Saturday for the first time in this series, but the question was asked.

Best half back is still the petulant little boy at Huddersfield Giants, I'm afraid.

Sadly lacking enough to beat NZ in a series and be better than their halfbacks Tigs.

Blummin miseryguts.

I'd back you to be more effective than Hiku was Sam

When we have won an ashes series I will die a happy man, until then I aspire for us to be the best. Paul Deacon could still do what Smith did on Saturday (albeit with more abuse from me).

No ashes series on the horizon so does that mean you'll be in this mood for the foreseeable?

Andy give me a velcro belt and some tags and Shaun Johnson would struggle against me.

You could call it that but a bunch of has beens chasing each other around in the mud is probably less appealing than morris dancing.

You don't HAVE to watch the Bulls.

I said has beens not never gonna be's.

Apart from Adam O'Brien of course...

Yes, look forward to seeing him at HQ next season...