Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity

Quote: Trojan Horse "I am just watching the highlights again.

Try 1 - Taufua hit the dummy runner which Lino had covered when he should have slid across to tackle the centre. This left Murphy in a 2 on 1 and a break down the wing. Lino ran behind to try clean up Taufua’s mistake in hitting the wrong man and although it wasn’t a great attempt on French Lino wasn’t at fault for the try. Taufua unfortunately isn’t a centre.

Try 2 - kick behind the winger. Lineham despite having a 5-7 yard start was beaten for pace (admittedly had to turn). Marshall is no slouch but this also happened vs Catalans when Lineham was beaten for pace. Gaskell also got nowhere near. If Jowitt was playing this would likely have been swept up.

Try 3 - didn’t notice at the time but we were 4 on 4 but Willie ISA charged through the line and shoulder charged Mason Lino who was sliding across. This caused disarray in the line and both Taufua and Murphy went for the same man leaving French on the wing vs nobody. Murphy should have been on the wing and trusted Taufua to take his man. That said this should have been disallowed with the obstruction on Mason Lino in the line. Gaskell also was jogging across the back, he should have at least go to the cover tackle.

Try 4 - Farrell was dummy runner. Corey Hall jammed in to tackle Farrell who was a dummy runner (and was covered). Ball went behind and left Lineham 2 v 1 with a lot of space. Corey Hall 100% at fault and nothing Lineham could do. Lineham had to push the centre Wardle as Hall had completely fluffed it. Langi made a good effort to almost get back to cover but to no avail.

Try 5 - Tanginoa seemed to be off the pace in getting to field. Langi charged in on field with Farrel on his shoulder it left the gap. Gaskell was stepped by Farrel when he really should have made that tackle. Gaskell really should have prevented that try. Tanginoa was limping at this point.

Try 6 - Hall failed to tackle Field. Lineham had Marshall covered and I think Hall even signalled to Lineham to cover the winger. Hall should have made the tackle but Wigan did well to create the space from scrum. It was a good move from the scrum drawing in defenders.

Try 7 - Langi went to tackle Wigan player who was already covered and tackled by Proctor. This left the edges a little short initially. Hall was covering a dummy runner (also planted stood still) but was short due to Langi earlier. Ultimately Field got on the outside of Hall yet again leaving Lineham 2 v 1 and a pass to winger meant a simple try. Langi and Hall mostly at fault here. There needs to be more trust from players to make 1 on 1 tackles.

Try 8 - Corey Hall again Jammed in on Farrell who was again dummy runner… (was this under instruction from the coaching team??). This left a 3 v 1 with Lineham!!!! Langi tried his best to cover behind but the centre passed and ran in front of Langi and then the Wigan centre flew past Gaskell. Gaskell could have got to tackle the winger but was tripped up/obstructed by the Wigan centre (on close inspection the Wigan 4 pulled Gaskell arm and swung Gaskell round. This should have been disallowed imo for obstruction on Gaskell. Langi and Gaskell both appealed to ref but fell on deaf ears it seems. The initial case though was Hall I’m afraid targeting Farrel again who was again a dummy runner.

Try 9 - drop out challenged by Taufua and Murphy. Lino and Ashurst overrun the ball and didn’t attempt to move behind to cover. Perhaps only one player should challenge. That said Lino probably should have been trying to get behind Murphy to cover any loose ball or player that may get come on the attack.

Try 10 - Corey Hall again I’m afraid. It was 3 on 3. Langi had Farrel covered and even told Hall to push out. Hall AGAIN jammed in on Farrel…. Guess what. Left a 2 on 1 for Lineham again. Langi had Farrell covered. Langi managed to make a cover tackle to no avail.

Try 11 - forward pass from hooker at 9 for the initial break missed by officials but pretty clear cut on the highlights. Regardless the halfback broke through tackles of Battye and Butler. Poor by the ref thought to miss the forward pass.

Few points…

The referee doesn’t appear to know what obstructions are.

3 trys should have been chalked off.

Langi worked really hard to try and clean up some defensive errors! Can’t fault that guy and he needs to be in centre.

Proctor looked to be working very hard in defence.

How to fix it up???

Hall needs to be careful not to get drawn into dummy runners leaving his winger exposed. Also needs to be able to read the play and be more observant. If this was a coaching tactic for Hall to target Farrel it left us exposed to overlaps.

Gaskell isn’t a full back and we’d be better even with Butterworth.

The middle forwards are not the issue at all. It went wrong between Langi > Hall a few times and Taufua > Murphy.

The halfbacks > centre > wing defence structure needs to be looked at. The jamming in from Hall and Taufua needs to be addressed.

Actually Lineham was dealt a poor hand in this game. He was left high and dry.'"

Great analytical post. Thank you.

Corey Hall gets a bit of a touch up here, which is surprising but obviously he has work to do.

And Gaskell, well, pfft