Yep, and even though I think RS is the right man for the job (and others disagree) I think its too early to tell either way, and even though I'll be gutted to, I'll admit I was wrong with regards to Smith if by this pint next year we haven't made decent progress.

I hope he is. I really do. I just don't think he is. we'll see

I like Smith. As others have said we don’t really know if he’s the answer or not yet, but it would be nice if sometime soon, we’re at a place where there’s no longer any excuses that can be made. In short if we’ve had a proper crack at sorting our halves and some of the top end salary cap hangover from Agar out.

I like Smith but I'm still not 100% sure hes the right man to lead us forward, but I think he needs to be given a chance, as he has shown last season that he can motivate a team to success and hes shown glimpses this year that he can get the team playing great rugby.

He just needs to get the team playing consistently well, with another clear out at the end of this season and his mark stamped on the squad i think we will be in a better place to judge him.

Agree on all points.

I wouldn't say hunger, but I would deffo say cutting edge.

Work smarter not harder is the mantra but we really have taken some huge wrong turns and made things far, far harder than they needed to be.

I like Smith and hope he's given time to learn from the disappointments of this season (so far). The inconsistent form is an issue. The coach is only part of the equation though. A missing element since the McDermott era is youth development. There are signs this is improving (especially in the forwards) but Newman aside I'm nervous about the lack of obviously good quality outside backs and halves coming through.

Smith frequently alludes to the policing of the ruck and the flow of the game. I could be well off the mark with this, but it seems that we struggle most against teams using cynical tactics to slow down the ruck when we are in possession, but Smith doesn't want us to resort to the same tactics. It is noticeable how much referees are letting teams get away with laying on in the tackle this season. Clearing up the ruck would make a big difference, but at the same time I wonder whether Smith just needs to adapt better to the way the game is being refereed over here.

My issue with the ruck point, is that he’s just not learning to adapt. The definition of insanity etc. etc.

I take your point, he problem is if all coaches just adapt to those tactics its just going to get worse

to be honest if the ruck doesn't change He'll probably just want to go back to Aus anyway. It's the most frustrating part of SL at the moment, its ruining the spectacle.

Agreed, it does need cleaning up but they won’t do it mid season. He needs to adapt and then lobby behind the scenes with other coaches, owners and players associations etc. to get it changed.

I don’t think the RFL are gonna he type of organisation that changes it’s position due to public criticism, just look at the judiciary for example.

referees are responsible for the ruck. they could stop it in weeks by penalising interferences. might not be pretty for a few games but it would sort it

Totally. It's not hard to imagine that part of the attraction for RS was building his coaching skills, experimenting with ideas and developing players. Opportunity to do any of these right now is stymied by the way the game's being played over here.

Agree. Treat interference as a professional foul. Which, after all, it is.

Agreed. He plays the game or attempts to, to how he thinks the ruck should be ‘Policed’ but it not only differs over here compared to the NRL, it can differ from week to week in SL and he doesn’t seem able or willing to change, thinking/hoping that the game over here will eventually come round to his way of thinking in how the ruck should be Policed.

I think his main issue is the inconsistency so in that regard it’s difficult to change your style.

I don’t mind the six again rul but it needs to change, it should be a penalty in your own 40 and repeat offences in the same set should be a penalty.

Not playing or at least not attempting to with the foot should be penalties, at the moment it’s a lottery ad to what you get, I don’t blame the referees they are just as confused IMO

Oh and while they are at it, why aren’t flops being penalised they happen all the time