Is he even good at the basics?

For about 18 months now his passing has been poor, he drops easy catches, tackling is average and his kicking from hands is nothing short of a disgrace. Not to mention his lack of pace, footwork and inability to put a player through a gap. Goal kicking has improved a bit I guess.

Have to agree with that. Despite all the comments about the low standard in SL, the sad fact is, *most* SL sides seem to have a better 7 than Smith.

I agree. It surely must reveal something when his best two performances since signing for us have been played in poor weather conditions.

Hull FC - Challenge Cup Final (Lance Todd)
Third Test versus NZ last year. (MOM)

Now for these awards did he score spectacular tries? No
Did he put players into space to score? No

Instead he calmed things down, took control of ball distribution (nothing fancy like) and his place kicking suffocated the opposition to death...that was about it.

I will admit that his two drop goals in the final 5 minutes against Hull was outstanding, but we were well in a position to win that game with ease and let Hull back in.

The good stuff continues in the second half, Itchy. Tedesco is a bit special.

Yeah, 6 might be a bit early on a 'normal' Friday, but Good Friday with the afternoon KO means an early start. I took my bike to be serviced this morning, and I was assured I'd get it back by Wednesday. Else it'll be the train, but either way I'd prefer to have time to drop by bags and stuff off at the hotel in Wigan before heading to Saints.

On that, I thought at the time of the WCC games that one of the things England fans always used to console themselves with years ago was the idea that at least we played 'proper' rugby, with forwards and backs all having their own roles, whereas the NRL produced large powerful 'everymen', combined second rower and centre, the likes of Matt Gilett say, or Joel Thompson. But the Cowboys beat Leeds by their magnificent forwards providing the platform for JT to his stuff, and the other two games went likewise. And other currently successful teams in the NRL like the Tigers are doing likewise. The point, of course, is to have the halves and outside backs with the wit and skill to take advantage of that platform.

Tedesco has had appalling luck with serious injuries, he's missed whole seasons before I think, leading to fears he'd lose his electrifying pace, but fortunately he still has it.

I think it's great that Wigan keep persevering with Smith.
He's rubbish!

Thought Sargo had his worst game for us.
And Smith...does he get a prize for every kick-in-play that goes straight down the throat of the oppo?

Sarginson is a real threat from full back but his game has been littered with errors in the two games to date. If he can get rid of them is say it looks to be his natural position.

I think it's more so we're getting over the advantage line straight away. If we pass it deep an energetic defence will turn that into lost yards pretty quick, then all the momentum goes to the defence and the rest of our set gets a lot harder.

If you lie flat it gives the defenders time to get in your face, it also leads to hurried passes which itself leads to the ball going to ground or worse still finishing behind the player the pass was intended for.
When you lie that bit deeper it gives you time to get up to speed and also puts the defenders in two minds, making them think are you going to put some one inside of you or give a short pass for someone to go through on the outside of you.

If you want an example of what I am saying watch the under 19s, in the match at the weekend a lot of the tries came from players cutting back against the grain.

Maybe the senior coaches should watch it to.

The U19's play to exactly the same structure as the 1st team. You most also realise that London aren't really a team to be bench-marked against at that level.