Bilko wrote:I said my report it was the small things that impressed me. Little clock killing kick into touch late on and on the back of that break after Ainscough had passed to Carmont watch as the Quins winger comes across to Carmont, Sam notices it and switches the angle of his run towards the becoming vacated wing, knowing that if Carmont got caught he was there. A small thing but great thinking support play that. Certainly from a player playing his first SL match.

DaveO wrote:There would be no complaints from me if this happened and everyone knows I am not Nobles biggest fan. If it takes suspensions and injuries to make Noble wake up and see the talent in the younger players who cares? It happened last season with J Tomkins and now it seems to happening with S Tomkins and Ainscough (though there is still plenty of scope for Noble to drop them both again).

I think the most telling thing is reading about how well Tomkins tackled by using good technique given people were worried about his size. Why can't Smith do the same?

Dave

Salty wrote:Smith can't do the same because he has no pace. If a player has pace he can get close to the attacker so he can get his arms around him to effect the tackle. Smith reaches out because he cannot get close, he can't get his shoulder in and as a result can't tackle.

Pemps wrote:RL Express talks about Sam but has a picture of Joel.

Rogues Gallery wrote:And maybe it's then a problem with the 3 steps, and hold defence that Noble employs.

Would smith be better if we employed the "rush" defence?

Saint #1 wrote:Thought Sam Tomkins played well, and he surprised me in defence, as I haven't seen him play before. Showed a few nice touches and good organisation skills. He showed maturity beyond his years, as exemplified by his grubber into touch a couple minutes from time. I hope for the good of the game he carries on improving.