His long kicking game has always been his strength even coming through the ranks in my opinion.

He has had a couple of spells where it dropped off, but generally he’s been top class in that department.

I’d say the difference in Smith over the last few years he has developed his all round game to catch up to the level of his kicking game.

For me to be a decent HB you need an excellent kicking game and Smith certainly has this and generally his game management is pretty decent too. There isn’t a HB in the competition who I’d swop for Smith, maybe Lomax but he is reaching the end of a very good career and his kicking game isn’t as effective as Smith.
Yes I’d like his conversation rate to improve and I think this will as he continues to develop.

The one area where I know that he can and should improve is his kicking to touch where the distance that he currently obtains isn’t far enough but I would add this criticism to every RL HB in both hemispheres. For a sport that supposedly hinges on metres gained and territorial advantage every team is woeful in gaining an extra 10 or 15 metres from penalty kicks to touch.

Agreed plus the lack of a real running threat is a hole in Smith's game. When he tries to step it looks like he's running in quicksand.

If he had a running game of any note he’d be a pretty complete halfback and I think the likelihood is we’d lose him to the NRL at some point. It’s just the way things are that makes you think like that and the reality is that a lack of a top notch running game gives us a great chance of keeping him throughout his career. When you have guys like Field and French in your side, you don’t need a 7 with a running threat and he’s bringing everything we need currently.

I agree with this and would add that too much of a running game from Smith would actually hinder us. We need an organiser to compliment the maverick nature of French and Field and that's what he gives us in spades.

It's not like he doesn't have any running game either. He's scored many tries both through taking the line on himself and by running support plays, particularly at scrums or near the opposition line. It's clearly not the strongest part of his game and it would certainly be nice if he could develop this a little in the coming years...just not at the expense of unbalancing his strengths or, indeed, those of French and Field.

To put it simply, I'd rather see those two exploiting any opportunities than see Smith try to do it.

That's kind of the harsh reality of SL atm isn't it. You want good players but if they're too good they're an immediate flight risk. Players with an obvious hole in their game are more likely to commit longer term and as long as we think that they bring enough to our side in other areas then great. Liam Marshall is probably another one - a very good SL winger but would never have the physical presence to make it in the NRL.

It is sadly. You still want to produce the Sam Tomkins of this world as often as possible but timing is everything. As things stand we have 2 electric attackers in Field and French, who both are physically not of the profile they want in the NRL, so we’re so lucky to have them. What we could do with, is finding the next Tomkins/Williams from within, ready for the time one or both of those leave.

Well, the goal kicker did alright today!

Can’t feel anything but pleased for Smith today. He looked relaxed as could be popping them over. Maybe he’s been trolling us all!

Maybe the break has given him chance to correct a few things and refocus. As you say, NK, he seemed a lot more confident and relaxed today

I've heard, not sure how true it is tho, that Briers did a day with the lads in the week. Maybe he got the boots out with Smith?

It seemed it. He stroked every single kick, where he’s been snatching at stuff before. If that was down to Briers having some time with them, then he’s a genius!