I doubt if there are any stats on this, but over recent weeks I have noticed that we seem to have charged down far more kicks than would normally be expected - 2 or 3 times against both Bradford and Salford for example (I even think that the trait goes back as far as Louis in the opening minute at Wembley).

At first I thought that this was down to accident rather than design, but a kick in open play was charged down again yesterday which lead directly to Hicks' first try.

I've been watching closely and Warrington players seem to definately be attacking the kicker differently; with arms outstretched in an attempt to charge the ball down, rather than the obligatory leading with the shoulder approach designed to inflict damage to the kicker whilst remaining just within the laws of the game (momentum/committed to the tackle etc).

I know that this might sound insignificant and perhaps a little "sad" on my behalf for having noticed it (in fact I am sad, but I really don't care), but if the players are being coached to do this, and it reaps rewards like it did yesterday, then Mr Smith should be congratulated for making the small, subtle changes that can sometimes be the difference between success and faliure.

Yeah I started a thread saying the same recently. It's clearly a ploy Smith has implemented.

I dont think it does us much damage even if/when it doesnt come off, and it has already reaped rewards when it does.

A few people disagreed saying it's a risky tactic because it can give the opponent another set of 6, or worse allow them to exploit the space created by the "on-rushing" defender. Whilst that's true, I think with our defence at the moment, it's of little concern. Wigan did exploit it against us this year, but that's the only time I've seen it disadvantage us significantly.

Tompkins move aside, the process at the very least pressures the kicker in to a quick kick. Sometimes that pressure pays off.

I agree, we are certainly charging down more kicks now than ever previously and this is reeping rewards (i.e. the first try in CC final) but it also put kickers under much more pressure and forces less than accurate kicks. Yesterday's kick which you mention (which lead directly to Hicks' try) was actually blocked by an offside Hull defender (so not charged down per se) but no doubt the pressure on Long forced this.

This has been obvious for quite a while, and prevents the kicker placing the ball where he wants.
It was clear at St Helens that Eastmond's kicks were not being attacked, and allowed him to kick us to death.

Again, good tactics. You go closing a man like Eastmond down with rush tactics, he'll have stepped and gone past you before you've left the ground and leave you clutching thin air.

i think what the tomkins chip over exploited more was the two fullbacks being split, one drops back on either wing and it leaves a massive gap down the middle the chip over was obvious.

I know Eastmond is talented but it is a high risk play if he dummy's to kick and then goes for it. Yeah in the last 10 minutes if you are behind on the scoreboard.
We have always chased down the kicker as I remember Wainwright doing that a lot. The difference now is that the rest of the team in the area of the kicker are ultra alert to turn defence into attack. One thing that struck me about the last 4 nations was the ability of Australia to convert from defending to a full on attack. Some of the tries they scored agains England were from errors where most teams would be happy just to drop on the ball and obtain possesion, the aussies picked up and looked to break straight away.

I am not trying to compare us with Australia but that sort of mentality appears to be there now. Briers was very alert for the try against hull but King and Hicks were not just stood around wondering who will go to dummy half when briers drops on the ball.

Correct. The threat of Eastmond put a doubt in our minds and stopped us playing to our strength, which is to put maximum pressure on kickers. The result being that we got murdered. That's all credit to Eastmond.

your boreing mate.


L Anderson is an exspert at kick charge downs.. take the CCF.