Re: Line speed : Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:05 pm  

Big Steve wrote:

Last night there were a number of 3 man tackle by Huddersfield, 3 rd man going in low. I've seen all teams do this, even saints.

The difference with Wigan is that they do it more than others - it takes a lot of effort and commitment to get so many people in the tackle. As long as they are not going in low and at a stopped player then fine , until the rules change otherwise.

They don't get penalised because it's not against the rules.

They also get the benefit of some fifty fifty calls, but then doesn't everyone?

Spot on Steve. The difference for the most part is down to commitment. I've been watching with great interest tonight in the light of some of the opinions expressed in this thread and taking particular note of the issues raised. Both sides are doing exactly what is being complained about here. The difference seems to be willingness to put the extra effort in rather than any lack of intent. It's certainly not the case that these are somehow 'Wigan tactics' as both teams tonight, as well as Huddersfield last night, are employing the very same tactics. Just not with the same relentless commitment. To complain that Wigan do it more as if it's some sort of injustice is totally missing the point. Wigan do it more because they are prepared to make the extra effort required to get the extra bodies involved in the tackle. You may as well say a team shouldn't be allowed to score more tries than another because it isn't fair!

Re: Line speed : Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:23 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

Not that clever hey? I hope you're watching Saints employing all the tricks you've mentioned tonight against Cas. It seems to be working well too. Hope you're suitably annoyed!

P.S. They even tried keeping the ball in the back of the scrum a la Wigan! Whatever next?!? Haha

Well you know the old saying 'If you can't beat em, Join em!' If the Pies get away with it we should expect to!

Re: Line speed : Sat Sep 20, 2014 12:58 pm  

Top Saint wrote:

Well you know the old saying 'If you can't beat em, Join em!' If the Pies get away with it we should expect to!

No complaints from me. You're missing the point slightly though. Saints haven't 'just started to do it' as you're suggesting. Neither has any team. It's just that Wigan have been the most committed, and therefore successful, at it thus far. When you do it well, as you did last night, Saints are equally adept. The slow ruck speed, third man lying on and peeling away slowly etc. last night was the equal of anything I've seen this season. Soliola and Hohaia in particular were all over the Cas players. It just seems very hypocritical when I see fans complaining when Wigan do it. I can't see much complaining about it on this board today, for example, after last night's performance...

P.S. Well done btw. Great performance and hope we see you in the final.

Re: Line speed : Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:09 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

No complaints from me. You're missing the point slightly though. Saints haven't 'just started to do it' as you're suggesting. Neither has any team. It's just that Wigan have been the most committed, and therefore successful, at it thus far. When you do it well, as you did last night, Saints are equally adept. The slow ruck speed, third man lying on and peeling away slowly etc. last night was the equal of anything I've seen this season. Soliola and Hohaia in particular were all over the Cas players. It just seems very hypocritical when I see fans complaining when Wigan do it. I can't see much complaining about it on this board today, for example, after last night's performance...

P.S. Well done btw. Great performance and hope we see you in the final.

The problem is its killing rugby league as an exciting sport, Superleague is much slower and boring these days with only short bursts of intensity. Its become an arm wrestle holding the player up until the 3rd man comes in, then you have one player peeling off one at the time with the last player interfering at the play the ball.
If every team adopts the tactic efficiently then you don't have much of a running game and the only option is more kicking...........the end result something like Rugby Union.

Re: Line speed : Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:21 pm  

Alternatively you work hard at counteracting those tactics and the the develops. Teams have to try harder to score and get through and or round the forwards so they can't employ the 3 man tackle.

That's what happens in Aus, the continually move on and develop through intelligent coaching.

Re: Line speed : Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:33 pm  

Judder Man wrote:

The problem is its killing rugby league as an exciting sport, Superleague is much slower and boring these days with only short bursts of intensity. Its become an arm wrestle holding the player up until the 3rd man comes in, then you have one player peeling off one at the time with the last player interfering at the play the ball.
If every team adopts the tactic efficiently then you don't have much of a running game and the only option is more kicking...........the end result something like Rugby Union.

I understand your point but defence is one half of the game. I've been around long enough to have seen several eras when both defence and attack have been dominant. Currently you could argue that defence is on top (although most games including the first two of the playoffs would suggest otherwise!) but it's now up to coaches to redress the balance. To play the tactics currently being employed you have to put bodies in the tackle. By definition this should leave gaps elsewhere. It's up to coaches to find ways to exploit this. The battle between attack and defence is the cornerstone of almost ALL sport and it's no use complaining when effective techniques are developed that give one or the other the upper hand. The challenge is to counteract them, not legislate against them. That said, I do agree that it has to be properly policed. Using strength, commitment and technique to gain an advantage is synonymous with the sporting ethos. Something such as 'lying on' isn't. I think it's important to distinguish and recognise the difference.

Re: Line speed : Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:55 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

Not that clever hey? I hope you're watching Saints employing all the tricks you've mentioned tonight against Cas. It seems to be working well too. Hope you're suitably annoyed!

P.S. They even tried keeping the ball in the back of the scrum a la Wigan! Whatever next?!? Haha

We laughed that one off with the scrum, we failed because like I said we were not clever either that or the refs only allow Wigan to do that play.........could be the latter.

Re: Line speed : Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:57 pm  

Judder Man wrote:

We laughed that one off with the scrum, we failed because like I said we were not clever either that or the refs only allow Wigan to do that play.........could be the latter.

That worked well but the referee called 'out' too early, therefore the early Cas break was his fault and couldn't be penalised.