This is a major problem for us imo. Our kicking game is aweful, no one takes control on the last, a poor kick is put in almost every time and the chase isnt the best either.

When watching the NRL games it is clear that there is a huge emphasis on a good kick on the last in order to build the pressure. Teams in Aus often force drop-outs; don't know the stats but i reckon were one of the worst in the league for forcing GLDO's. Against the better teams a good play on the last is essential and can be the main difference between winning and losing.

What are peoples thoughts?? Who should be taking control for us on the last tackle plays?? Tommy, Sam, Lockers and Pat all have average standard kicking games, not sure if any have an exeptional kicking game though...

The last play and what is done depends where you are on the field.

On their try line either go for a score or a kick to get a drop out and a repeat set.
If you're in your own half then give it to Pat to belt it one!
Doesn't matter of it goes dead or almost their players will be turned around and a good chase can put them only a few yards from their try line.

Often the best kicks are not left until the last play, a kick on the 3rd or 4th can produce real benefit. The odd 40/40 too.

The whole problem is not helped by changing our 9 and halves all the time. With Piggy here long term so should be Tommy and Sam T in the halves.

Yeah I've stated this consistently on the site this year - it's not been good.

As you know, I meant 40/20.

Two other problems:

When the full back is left with the responsibility of kicking, most players will be offside. His use should be limited to testing the opposition full back under the bomb.

Secondally TL has a tremendous goal line kicking game, Joel Tomkins is also brilliant at chasing them up, yet we continue to underuse this tactic.

no last plays rubbish, im ringing up

moan moan moan moan moan

Last season we were moaning that all our tries came from kicks. Now we're moaning that we won't kick enough. FWIW we have underused TL's goal line kicking game this season.

I blame Mathers.

I blame Lockers.

Everything is his fault. The lack of discipline, poor results, credit crunch, global warming etc etc

In those circumstances we should do what Kimmorley used to do a few years ago Steinlager. He'd kick the ball and run straight - if it were a cross field kick it did not matter - just run in front of his teamates so as to play them all onside

Deffo, take the captaincy of him I say, then beat him with a stick........

I pointed the last tackle plays out to 'cadoo' at the match on Friday because we often simply put a kick up to the corner. It's worth a go, once, twice, three times in a match maybe aslong as their is some variety in the last tackle plays, to keep the opposition guessing.

I like the chip over the top and chase tactic. To be honest you don't see it very often in Rugby League but Billy Whizz mastered it as has Shane Williams in rah rah. The bounce of the ball is important but it can totally confuse the defensive line.

One last tackle play we used to be very good at around 2003 was Lockers kicking from deep on the last tackle and him chasing it for his life upfield leading the rest of the team.

Our kick chase was excellent that year but has been pretty poor this year.

Your not the only one who has noticed this. I have mentioned awhile back on the other Warriors site that our last tackle plays were poor. Particularly close to the opponents line which shocks me a little because Thomas Leuluai has a fantastic short kicking game.

We seem to only know one method and that is the "bomb". I thought at first Noble thought that the wingers might be a bit suspect when we were playing Bradford and to an extent they were. But at Leeds we tried the same tactic and now again at Salford and it has come to nothing. It often halts momentum as well as the opposition have comfortably retained the ball, and our momentum is halted.

Something Wigan need to address.

These are problems

If Pat is too kick on the last then he should join the line so most players are onside

Your 2nd point is very true and we should utilise it a lot more, we will score a few tries a season from that combination

Our kicking game lacks variation, it is blatantly obvious we are going to kick on the last tackle and never before. Watched the replay of the Grand Final and Leeds kicked Saints to death by kicking on the 3rd and 4th tackles (there chase was pretty good too

) we would get a lot more 40/20's this way which is something we should definitely use more. It is also obvious we are going to kick to the corner which is pretty pointless especially with Pat at full back. We should try some grubbers, chips over the top, bombs and kicks to the corners.

Ey up! This might involve thinking for yourself/thinking on the hoof, something we don't seem particularly good at.

Ive said this for a while now and belive we need the lads practising set piece kicking in training.

Was Sam any good in the reserves at kicking?

I would be impressed if a coach thought of a completely new last play. It can't be too hard.

Coming from full back he'd get smashed before he got in front of them.