Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:30 pm  

Jeff the God of Biscuits wrote:

Going off Rocky's return at the back of last season, he played all his games at FB, shifting the regular FB, Oliver Gildart, into the centres. It's quite apparent he's seen as a FB rather than a SO. You have to remember, as good as he is, he's still only 19, and whilst he's an exciting player, his talent needs to be nurtured.

The modern FB role is like an extra pivot anyway. Sam Tomkins was dodgy at best under the high ball, but he's still got the #1 shirt for England and in an NRL side. The amount of tries his perceived liability under the high ball may cost us, he'll more than likely make up for in attack.

I'd love to see Rocky go out on loan for a year to a SL club. An extended run in a SL team would give him the experience needed to slot in from 2016 onwards.

It's all good and well saying he moved Gildart to the centres, but he's always been a centre as far as i'm aware? I thought you used to run with Tierney at full back with Williams and Rocky in the halves. Then Gabe Fell played at full back. No idea who's played there this year as i've not followed it as much, but Gildart has always played centre. No idea where you got the idea he played FB from.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:30 pm  

SecondRowSaint wrote:

It's all good and well saying he moved Gildart to the centres, but he's always been a centre as far as i'm aware? I thought you used to run with Tierney at full back with Williams and Rocky in the halves. Then Gabe Fell played at full back. No idea who's played there this year as i've not followed it as much, but Gildart has always played centre. No idea where you got the idea he played FB from.

Gildart has played a few games at fullback for the U19's this season and acquitted himself well when Fell was out. Tierney has only played five U19 games this season two at fullback, two on the wing and one as sub.

I would agree though that Gildart is primarily a centre, although he's also played some of his junior rugby at #6

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:52 pm  

Pemps wrote:

Do people not think that the modern fullback is more like a traditional standoff? All teams tend to play with a bit of structure and, if they've got the players, seem to play with split halves with the full back given a license to roam.

When Sam was our full back he probably had a hand in most set pieces anyway and I'm sure Hampshire would be the same. If that's the way we play then he's a fullback for mine.

This. 100%. The move to FB never stifled Sams creativity or off the cuff play, and the attacking structures were designed to get his hands on the ball as often as possible in as much space as possible. It doesn't stop either half back dropping a shoulder and going themselves nor does it stop a short ball to a forward instead of going out the back. Rocky may have defensive issues or be dodgy under the high ball, I don't think we've seen enough of him to say whether he has or he hasn't tbh, but from an attacking perspective he's Sam Tomkins mkII at fullback for me.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 31, 2014 1:14 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Gildart has played a few games at fullback for the U19's this season and acquitted himself well when Fell was out. Tierney has only played five U19 games this season two at fullback, two on the wing and one as sub.

I would agree though that Gildart is primarily a centre, although he's also played some of his junior rugby at #6

Sorry, didn't make it clear that I meant Tierney played full back the year before this. Then Fell played there most of this season until injury. Gildart has nearly always played centre.

How do you reckon Bretherton will go now he's returning from injury?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:50 am  

Is there any more on the rumoured Brough / Patrick moves? Personally I hope both come to Wigan.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:13 pm  

Ryan Bailey has joined Hull KR

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:30 pm  

Bigredwarrior wrote:

Is there any more on the rumoured Brough / Patrick moves? Personally I hope both come to Wigan.

I would assume the Scott Taylor issue would need to be finalised first before any potential signing.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:52 pm  

SecondRowSaint wrote:

Sorry, didn't make it clear that I meant Tierney played full back the year before this. Then Fell played there most of this season until injury. Gildart has nearly always played centre.

How do you reckon Bretherton will go now he's returning from injury?

I'm hoping all goes well for him. He played very well in his first season culminating in a place in Wigans U19 Grand Final win at Leeds whilst still only 17 years of age. I believe he's back in full training and hope he gets a run out v the aussie at Orrell on 29th November.
He was always a big lad for his age but that doesn't guarantee he'll stay bigger than his contemporaries. However he does have a "frame" that looks like he could develop into a big prop very much in the Lee Mossop mould.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 31, 2014 5:41 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I'm hoping all goes well for him. He played very well in his first season culminating in a place in Wigans U19 Grand Final win at Leeds whilst still only 17 years of age. I believe he's back in full training and hope he gets a run out v the aussie at Orrell on 29th November.
He was always a big lad for his age but that doesn't guarantee he'll stay bigger than his contemporaries. However he does have a "frame" that looks like he could develop into a big prop very much in the Lee Mossop mould.

The final was the first time I saw him and he made a real impact. Massive presence on the pitch with a cracking frame to build some real size on, he must be 6'4"-5". How come he has been out? Ligament/muscular issues?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Oct 31, 2014 5:49 pm  

jonh wrote:

The final was the first time I saw him and he made a real impact. Massive presence on the pitch with a cracking frame to build some real size on, he must be 6'4"-5". How come he has been out? Ligament/muscular issues?

ACL I believe when playing in the triangular Catalan, Leeds, Wigan academy tournament at the beginning of the year.