Absolutely. I know it gets said a lot that he lifts the team but often without pinpointing how. If you look at Garrick’s try, the defence was worried about Tom out the back. Then they ran the same shape for Talau’s try and this time he got the ball and threw the catch and pass. Then when Koula scored, the inside defence was worried about Ola’kauatu but the outside was watching Tom; through goes Koula. That’s three tries that Tom has a direct impact on. So even when the highlight reels are not showing his individual brilliance, he is having a big say in what happens.
He also sets the defence and keeps everyone organised. I think he reads the game better than any other player in the NRL. We just need him fit.