bellycouldtackle wrote:
Just love the way Wigan play simple tough Rugby, the second half display against Leigh was a master class in handing the ball over on the oppositions try line then really getting off the defensive line with pace and tackling in numbers with aggression, keeping the opposition in their 20 and forcing a kick that at best crosses the half way line. They are patient and determined, its not complicated but very effective plus the whole team knows the plan and buys into it. It takes a set of equally determined aggressive players to carry the ball out of defense, remember how Hendo used to be always there to make these tough carries.
For once you're right, halfback play is intricate, backs are flamboyant, forwards should be a machine. Of course, forwards can be skilled but it's not a necessity. The ability to catch the ball at speed from deep, run it hard, KNOW WHEN THE TACKLE IS MADE rather than thrashing around like a hooked fish, get to your feet and play the ball without delay. All forwards must be able to do this, it's where Wigan and Leeds etc are strong and where our greatest weakness lays. My enthusiasm for Battye is that he seems to know this, as a player he's fairly ordinary in the skills department but in a class of his own when playing as a prop.
