HIGH BALLS !!!!! : Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:58 pm  

I said weeks ago that I fear all clubs this season will utilise the fact that Raynor, Tony and Calderwood are all unfortumately cack at the high ball.
Did anyone notice that both Wigan tries the other night came from high kicks to the corner on what I believe was the last tackle.
IMO this really is our weak link and something I believe we will be sick of seeing before the season out.
I know you would think that rugby players can catch but is this something that can be practised in training to improve on or is it just natural ability in this area our players lack ?

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:01 am  

Richards is one of, if not the best, taker of the high ball in the league, especially in attack. Smith's kick to him was also pinpoint. Not much Calderwood could have done about it in all honesty, you just have to sit back and admire.

Re: HIGH BALLS !!!!! : Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:05 am  

THE BOARD wrote:

I said weeks ago that I fear all clubs this season will utilise the fact that Raynor, Tony and Calderwood are all unfortumately cack at the high ball.
Did anyone notice that both Wigan tries the other night came from high kicks to the corner on what I believe was the last tackle.
IMO this really is our weak link and something I believe we will be sick of seeing before the season out.
I know you would think that rugby players can catch but is this something that can be practised in training to improve on or is it just natural ability in this area our players lack ?

Given the fact that only 1 of the 3 players you mention played on Friday I really don't see your point.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:11 am  

I would rather run on to a up and under then wait to defuse it Did you notice one of our tries came from a high kick

[Kosh]

Re: HIGH BALLS !!!!! : Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:19 am  

THE BOARD wrote:

I said weeks ago that I fear all clubs this season will utilise the fact that Raynor, Tony and Calderwood are all unfortumately cack at the high ball.
Did anyone notice that both Wigan tries the other night came from high kicks to the corner on what I believe was the last tackle.
IMO this really is our weak link and something I believe we will be sick of seeing before the season out.
I know you would think that rugby players can catch but is this something that can be practised in training to improve on or is it just natural ability in this area our players lack ?

Only one of those players played last Friday. And it's not exactly unusual for wingers or FB to be bombed on the last tackle. We scored a try ourselves from a last tackle bomb in the same match.

You worry too much IMO.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:20 am  

I thought Raynor was pretty solid under the high ball?

Re: HIGH BALLS !!!!! : Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:22 am  

The Kings of Hull wrote:

Given the fact that only 1 of the 3 players you mention played on Friday I really don't see your point.

Well if you can read then my point is there to be read !
To put it into simple terms for you IMO its clear to see we have the three afor mentioned players who are all obviously cack under the high ball.
Although only one of the three played against Wigan I just thought Wigan concentrated on the high ball against us instead of the low grubber.
Just a thought but it got me thinking teams are maybe going to target us in this area knowing we struggle under the bomb as both tries showed the other night.
Like I said its just a thought and maybe I will be wrong. I was merley asking if they practiced these kind of things in training and if not why not !

Re: HIGH BALLS !!!!! : Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:23 am  

Kosh wrote:

Only one of those players played last Friday. And it's not exactly unusual for wingers or FB to be bombed on the last tackle. We scored a try ourselves from a last tackle bomb in the same match.

You worry too much IMO.

True !

Re: HIGH BALLS !!!!! : Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:27 am  

THE BOARD wrote:

Well if you can read then my point is there to be read !
To put it into simple terms for you IMO its clear to see we have the three afor mentioned players who are all obviously cack under the high ball.
Although only one of the three played against Wigan I just thought Wigan concentrated on the high ball against us instead of the low grubber.
Just a thought but it got me thinking teams are maybe going to target us in this area knowing we struggle under the bomb as both tries showed the other night.
Like I said its just a thought and maybe I will be wrong. I was merley asking if they practiced these kind of things in training and if not why not !

They are practiced and in fact they are practiced on the pitch prior to the majority of games (if not all), unfortunately it is nigh impossible to replicate match conditions in these practices.

Oh and apart from the early season last year Motu was pretty safe under the high ball.

Re: HIGH BALLS !!!!! : Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:37 am  

The Kings of Hull wrote:

They are practiced and in fact they are practiced on the pitch prior to the majority of games (if not all), unfortunately it is nigh impossible to replicate match conditions in these practices.

Oh and apart from the early season last year Motu was pretty safe under the high ball.

I agree with KT and I hope they prove my doubts to be wrong but IMO if I can see a weakness in our team it would be this !

So mote it be !