Anyone got the inside track on his style? It's fascinating how he's got players like Dufty playing again. What's his style? Is he an enforcer? Disciplinarian? Arm round the Shoulder? Does he lean on his coaching staff?

Genuinely interested. One suspects it's a combination of all but for such a young coach to turn a squad around is admirable. We may not win a thing this year and at times it's not champagne rugby, but the steel has been put in us like an RSJ in a building extension.

Agreed.

No idea really, but from what I can see the players totally respect him because they know what he's done - many have seen him rip into the Aussies, and his words carry weight. Loved Danny Walkers quote a couple of weeks ago - 'how can I say I'm carrying a slight knock and can't play when Sam played 70 minutes with a broken jaw?' and from someone else 'it's the eyes that kill you'.
Several players have said that he's made their role simpler and clearer.

He's got good coaching staff around him - Gleese and Chambers get the most mention. Certainly the attack is firing on all cylinders, but there's a steeliness of defence I've not seen for many many years.

He's created a great atmosphere in the camp and the guys really play for one another. I think having an extended stay in France was a master stroke on several levels - it's something different, it takes them away from their families and friends and all the noise about the cup, they get some quality work in in a warm climate and have some real downtime. A real masterstroke.

Top notch sport is all about confidence. Sam's given them that - none more so than Dufty (who still makes errors but they are becoming less) who is revelling in his role. Loved Sams quote responding to a question about a knock that Dufty picked up - something along the lines of 'he likes a bit of Hollywood'. Classic.

I'm certain Sam has all the tools you mention in his armoury and it's how, when and who he uses them with that's the key.
So far he's been very impressive.
Long may it continue.
When - and it will at some point - things go off the rails we'll see his true abilities come through.
I'm increasingly thinking we've got a gem - even if it is for only a couple of years.

His style is simple...it's rugby league. One size fits all.

I'd put his side as similar to the early days of Tony Barrow.
We have pack members that are alike. Boyd and Vaughan both have great ball skills, as well as their enforcement reputation. Bob Jackson mirrors Harrison's work rate. Fitzgibbon has that bit of nastiness to his game, as well as being great player , like the 86 side.
We had a genius in Andy Gregory. We have one now in Williams. Young halves like Bishop, now Hayes. Exciting wingers Ashton/Drummond. Workmanlike centres King and Tai comparing to Cullen/Duane/Ropati and both sides have line breaking full backs in Dufty and Johnson.

Neither sides are overly flamboyant, they do the job well. And we win a lot more than we lose.

Good analysis I like this.

Whether I agree with Lefty’s post or not, I enjoyed reading it.
Love a bit of my heroes nostalgia.