Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Wed Apr 13, 2022 9:54 am  

jonh wrote:

I've been wanting Cust to take on the line more and on Sunday we saw him doing that. He asked questions of the defence he hasn't really asked before which held them up and created space for others.

Was great to see French looming up on peoples shoulders and looking for work, I do however worry about his carry on the early tackles. It is a part of the game we rely on to get us rolling forward early in the sets and with him on the wing he generally gets dominated in that type of contact, pushed back and generates a slow play the ball. I think we may have to ask his centre to do more of that work rather than him on the win.

Have to disagree slightly John, it's the main thing I've been pointing out from day one about Cust.
Hes took the line on really well, close to the ruck mainly at times which has created a lot of space for others.
He challenges defences like George Williams did early days (possibly before he started to go sideways too much imo) and I keeps defences honest around the middles (whilst he's still.a.threat because at least 2/3 times a game he "Nearly" gets through) and the others benefit from the space around.

It's a little like what Lockers did for us for many years.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Wed Apr 13, 2022 10:47 am  

I agree Jukesy. Playing into the line that way is often a thankless task but it's absolutely essential to break up defences. It's noticeable that we're doing it much more this year with Mago, KPP, Tommy, Bateman and, as you say, Cust all challenging the defence to make decisions. All too often last year we passed too far in front of the defensive line making it easy for them to simply slide.

John, I had a similar conversation regarding the early sets with French on the wing but it seems a simple solution to just switch with the centre on the early sets. In addition you get the bonus of having French further infield where his footwork could be used to better advantage. I imagine this is part of the 'two fullbacks" idea Kevin Brown has been alluding to recently.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Wed Apr 13, 2022 11:07 am  

Jukesays wrote:

Have to disagree slightly John, it's the main thing I've been pointing out from day one about Cust.
Hes took the line on really well, close to the ruck mainly at times which has created a lot of space for others.
He challenges defences like George Williams did early days (possibly before he started to go sideways too much imo) and I keeps defences honest around the middles (whilst he's still.a.threat because at least 2/3 times a game he "Nearly" gets through) and the others benefit from the space around.

It's a little like what Lockers did for us for many years.

When he first came I thought he did that well, with his direct running but for about a month he seemed to just be directing traffic around him.

Both Tommy and Cust noticeably in my opinion were more direct and took the line on as you say keeping them honest.

I hope he continues to do that as it stops the defence just sliding across and making it easy to run the outside players towards the touch line….aka the best defender in the pitch.