Why doesn't Noble switch Ainscough and Richards when we are defending our line so the latter can deal with the high kicks?
Ainscough could cover the grubber kicks.

I'd imagine it would take too much organising.

Saints are bearing down on our line and Cunningham is halted 5 yards short on the 4th tackle. Lockers steps forward, "Hold on lads. Can we just have a minute so we can swap our winger and fullback around?". "Cheers lads. On you go Kieron".



Seriously, I don't think we'd have time to do it.

Ainscoughs a winger end of so he'll have to work out a way of dealing better with high kicks from his position of wing. We can't change the whole side round for 1 player as it takes too much time in what is a super fast game.

I'd have swapped him to the right wing on Friday but thats about the only re-jig i'd look at dependant on who he's facing.

He'll get it right.

It would be easier to just swap Ainscough with his centre.

100% - put ainscough at fb and its just a high ball down the middle. get ainscough inside and his centre outside for 1 tackle.

All this could be solved if he would just jump

Yep.



On the first point, Briers would have been experienced enough to kick when Ainscough was on the wing, or would have peppered him at fullback anyway

Saying that one of the best and most respect wingers in the NRL El Masri often comes inside on the last tackle to let others deal with cross field bombs as it’s a weaker part of his game.

Especially at the start of the season when he had Idris inside him scooping them out of the air.

It can be done but needs thought put into it and a system working out.

Zero chance of that happening then

But he always seems isolated on the wing. More isolated than any winger I've seen before. It's obvious that the opposition are going to target him so we must figure out some way of counteracting this tactic. We can't just let it happen.
During a game I've seen players swap positions in a matter of seconds, usually because of tiredness or injury and this isn't planned. Surely Noble could plan something.

He didn't jump at Warrington because he was moving backwards. He should be coached into positioning himself outside the opposition winger so he can move forward for the ball.

I don't think we should give up on him learning, he just needs to position himself and jump, his centre should offer him protection too, king had a clear run straight at him which let him jump high, if Phelps had got in his way or stood still in front of Ainscough I don't think King would have scored

But it was just a simple kick over the top, Wire put it through a couple of pairs of hands and which created the overlap therefore Phelps had to commit to the runners leaving Ainscough open. He just has to start jumping, if he wud have got up there with King (even if he couldnt catch it) it would be harder for King to score.

Totally agree.

Nobody can blame the lad for being outjumped by a 6ft 4 winger but to not even jump and try to put him off was criminal.

9 times out of 10 whoever the winger is defending a high kick from within the 20metres the attacking winger will get the first touch on the ball because they're coming off a running jump but you have to make it as hard as possible for them to take it cleanly.

Like i've said before though i'm sure he'll learn though.

he should be told to jump and try to knock the ball out of play, rather than catch it ...

He doesn't jump at all half of the time. That is most people's problem.

Thats a tactic i've thought about a few times but to me that could lead to every side thinking 'lets kick it over to Ainscoughs wing every single time because we know we'll get either a try and if not that a drop out'.

He just has to play on instincts and judge situations better but that'll come with experience.

why doesn't Noble.....take his head for a wobble (I really thought that was going to be the opening post)

what happens if someone puts a bomb up centre field?


Not every team grubber kicks it to the full back.

Yes, but he won't be stranded on his own.
When I watch Wigan these days I never say to myself, "They did that on the training field."

'"

To me it isn't rocket science, in general RL is all about improving the good habits and reducing the bad habits.

Ainscough needs to put a little extra work in during/after training until it becomes a habit and second nature for him to jump for the ball

Not true. Its all Noble's fault.