I thought his defence was awesome - probably the best defensive halfback Iv ever seen. Wouldn't agree about his kicking game - thought that was poor tonight.

Didn’t really notice him tonight to be honest.

Do remember a rubbish kick or two though

You could do with watching it again. He was superb.

I’m not saying his kicking game was outstanding but it was much improved from previous years.

He ran the show tonight.

I thought he looked really sharp from the get go, his tackling I’m not even gonna say defence, im gonna say his tackling was fantastic as always, he organised us really well, but he can’t kick for toffee, there’s 12 other players on that pitch that I would rather let kick than Tommy, he did have a good game though, especially that try saving tackle.

That try saving tackle was something else.

He was superb tonight.

Two gash kicks but everything else was sublime. Really enjoyed watching him tonight.

Have to agree he was everywhere last night

I think having a more traditional style half-back alongside him was a huge help as it allowed him to play more to his strengths as did a team playing a more structured attack with runners and support, at times last season he was expected/trying to do too much alongside Hastings and Smith.

Think he looked a bit gassed by the end of the game but it was certainly a better game from him and Smith is going to have a ahrd time getting into the team on the basis of last night.

Meh

Thank you for your informative and constructive contribution to the conversation - As ever.

"absolutely fantastic"

I was very critical of Tommy last year but I thought he had a strong game last night. He seemed much more willing to run with the ball rather than just shipping it on, as shown by the metres made stats. I also really liked his disguised run into 2nd receiver in the build up to Marshall's try. We barely saw him at 2nd receiver last year, never mind off the back of a late movement. Maybe that's the Briers effect or maybe it's just the players coming up with their own ideas in training.

Defensively he was outstanding.

Tommy's kicking game is not so bad generally, as long as there's no bombs! But he really showed the best of the rest of his game on Friday. It does strike me that it's remarkable that someone who had such an obvious weakness in his game (certainly in his preferred position) ever ended a World champ, and I guess that says a lot about the guy.

Do you not think that a lot of that was to do with Hastings wanting to be conductor, piano player, lead violinist and trumpet player? He was (is) a great player but I got the impression that he wanted to do everything, this team looks a lot more balanced.