So what?

Nobody cares, bye.

We held on too long in the tackle on a number of occasions and were duly punished.

HOWEVER, what all of those whining about our tactics don't understand is that we are not necessarily lying on longer than other teams in the tackle. What we are actually doing is slowing the tackling process down.

We get numbers in the tackle and make that actual act of tackling last longer than other teams do. This stops the opposition getting momentum and allows us to reset.

Watch the 3rd man. They will break as early as possible to reset, leaving just the would-be markers involved in the tackle. Getting numbers in usually ensures a dominant tackle also.

For me the Superleague refs dont know how to manage the NRL style play Wigan/Huddersfield have adopted. This tends to lead to lots of penalties or a passive attitude in the first half, then penalties for the opposition or an over worked whisle in the 2nd half to make it look on paper an evenly refereed match. The RFL need to get a grip.

You all sound like Huddersfield fans from last season.

At least we don't sound like Wigan fans from last season. You lot on the other hand ...





Welcome to the new world.

What people are not understanding is the risk in this tactic.

1) If the opposition has a real ball playing forward in their team then you have real problem, a Brian McTigue, Harry Pinner et al would have loved it. Three men in the tackle, ball out, try time. We need to bring that facet of the game back.

2) If you play the three men in the tackle and then peel off you have to be very fit to get those men back in the defensive line for the next set or you will be punished.

I have watched the game again very carefully and it is clear that Saints held on just as long as Wigan in the tackle or put another way Wigan don't hold on any longer. Which makes sense really because if Wigan were holding down too long they would be penalised and if Saints were not holding down long enough then fool them. It is the whole technique that Wigan employ which gives them a slight advantage i.e. 3 men in the tackle keeping the man moving until the tackle is complete with usually the man on his back pointing the wrong way. The time advantage, which allows the Wigan defensive line time to reset, is the added delay in completing the tackle and not from time lying on. The tacklers peel off at the right time so as not to infringe. An additional split second is gained because the attacker has to regain his feet and turn round. People who suggest that Wigan are lying on too long are missing the point by a mile.

Also they are missing the point by a mile if they think that Wigan's control of the ruck area is THE reason for their early season form. Wigan are paying attention to ALL areas of the game perhaps with the exception of field kicks which have room for improvement. If you win all the small battles then you increase your chances of winning the war.

Focus on Wigan's defence is also missing the fact that Wigan's attack is far better than previous years again through better technique and running lines. Robby Paul even referred to it as sexy rugby! None of this is down to luck. It is clearly down to good coaching coupled with good execution from the players. Surely that is what RL is all about.

How nice to be associated with this again.

There is the cunning part of MM's plan. How many true ball-play-forwards are knocking about these days. Also, this is the fittest and most well conditioned looking Wigan side I can remember.

Why are we cheating by being good at tackiling. When the tackled man hits the floor Wigan are off within 3 seconds. Count when other teams tackle and its exactly the same. 3 seconds with the man on the floor. All teams are doing the same.

Difference is we are getting 2 or 3 men in before the man being tackled hits the floor, thus giving Wigan an edge and being able to set the line at a quicker speed than others.

Other teams put three men in the tackle as well. I struggle to see what Wigan are doing differently to other teams and why all this hype by the media and other teams supporters about us slowing the game down and cheating. Its just good play. Slowing the game down is what Melbourne Storm did againt Leeds and we are nowhere near as bad as that.

The difference with Wigan is that the three men keep the man moving until the tackle is complete giving time for the defensive line to reset. Once the tackle is complete Wigan only lie on for the 3 seconds allowed as do ALL other teams. So it is the time BEFORE the tackle is complete where Wigan are gaining the edge over other teams and not lying on as some people suggest.

Right lets be honnest, the only reason this is such a big deal, is because its Wigan. Yes last year coaches including Nobby complained, but was there such an outcry from everyone involved including some joker writing for the times on april 1st?

If it was anyone else it wouldnt be as big an issue, now on one hand thats good, as after a decade of being terrible, we are still the team everyone talks about! However on one hand its a bit sad, was there outcry when the 2006 saints side swept all aside? The only outcry was from daniel anderson as everyone was talking about, you guessed it the worst ever Wigan side (that i have seen), and not the best ever saints side (for my money).

If the above means i have a chip on my shoulder, then fine look at it that way, however like it says on the flag, Hated, Adored, but never Ignored!

And I wouldnt want it any other way!

Rant over!

Now if everyone starts adopting this system, and it leads to the death of one trick ponies like Mickey Higham, and to an extent James Roby, and ushers back a era of skillfull rugby then im all for it!

ps I do realise im going to get caned for this post but im sick of narrow minded fools who set there ideas to critise everytime wigan do something positive!

Than God there are now a few more seeing the scooter hooker for what they are, failed halfbacks. let's get back to dummy halves who have the craft, skill and passing technique to unlock defences.

Always seen the light bud, how someone can win man of steel for running 8 yards every other tackle is beyond me!

I dont think this is the reason were winning games. its just one small part. Were hitting much harder in the tackle (ask james graham ) were running better lines. Working as a well drilled team. taking chances . Were much fitter. Nearly every aspect of our game has improved under MM and SW. Its just narrow minded and wrong to think us slowing the POTB down a little is winning us games. People should focus on what were doing well. Oh i forget we are Wigan so they wont

Wigan's tactics are perfectly fine imo. They have mastered the art of slowing down the play the ball and Maguire has to be praised for that. As I Saints supporter I was more horrifingly concerned that we completley ignored one of the best centres in SL (Gidley) on the right flank. All our attacking play was down the left and young Chris Dean wouldnt have scored if we were playing now! Our tactics where poor and you deserved your win.

"Controlling" is the word I think your looking for!



Time the PTB's, our defence takes no longer than any others.

Spot on! It is starting to irritate me when people refer to Wigan slowing down the PTB and suggest that the refs are letting them get away with it. All teams get 3 secs after the tackle is complete. Wigan have found a way, through good coaching, to gain an advantage which is exactly what ALL coaches are trying to do!

Agreed - i've never been a big fan of quick play the balls. IMO players should have to fight to get to their feet quickly and not rely on a silly rule that allows them to regain their feet quickly. A slower play the ball will mean that players will have to use their heads more and thus develop their skills for unlocking defences something that has been far too easy due to a quick play the ball.

Saints have had 3 men in the tackle and were the first to have wrestling training and have controlling tactics in place for alot longer than we have, years ago some of us pointed it out but now were doing it its against the spirit of the game? I suppose voluntry tackles, kicking balls on the pitch to stop the game so they can get the line set and offshore payments are just being clever and in order then.

I fully agree, scooting was one of the worst styles of rugby around, look where is got us with Higham/Godwin as hookers.