Report in the papers today about the England RU squad for Australia. There are 3 stand offs and it lists their kicking % for the season



Cipriani 64% Farrell 73% Ford 73%. Smiths stats are not that bad in comparison. Every team would love a Sinfield, Botica that looks like they will never miss but to find a kicker who is good enough to get in the team on merit is not that easy

None other than the son of 'big fat' Garry Schofield!

I can't say I'm happy with Smith as a kicker, it's more to do with it seems to have a detrimental effect on the rest of his game more than his ability as a kicker though I'd never back him to get one from the touch line.



What we can't do is simply play someone else just for their kicking. They have to be good enough to get in the team first. If we find such a player I'm sure Matty would be more than happy to hand over the role. Within the team we have Sam T, Josh and Sam P as options. Once MM is back Powell won't play enough minutes to be the main kicker, Josh is off at the end of the year so that leaves Tomkins. Does he want to do it and is he good enough? I'm not sure of either.

I would also worry about putting undue strain on his knee by adding kicking duties as well given the seriousness of the injury he has had.

Quote eelpie="eelpie"None other than the son of 'big fat' Garry Schofield!'" I knew I knew that face. Should have sussed it with the specs! www.dewsburyrams.co.uk/player?52 ... -schofield

Quote eelpie="eelpie"None other than the son of 'big fat' Garry Schofield!'" I knew I knew that face. Should have sussed it with the specs! www.dewsburyrams.co.uk/player?52 ... -schofield

Josh is the best kicker at Wigan at the moment

The current 'goalkicking league table' for anyone making more than 15 attempts at goal in Super League this year.



1 - Lilley - 88.5%

2 - Gidley - 84.6%

3 - Walsh - 81%

4 - Sneyd - 80%

5 - Finn - 78.6%

6 - Gale - 78.2%

7 - Mantellato - 77.8%

8 - O'Brien - 74.3%

9 - Richards - 73.8%

10 - Brough - 73.8%

11 - Smith - 72.5%

12 - Dobson - 70.4%

13 - Hanbury - 70.2%



While there are some fine margins involved, Smith is statistically the 2nd worst first choice goalkicker in Super League.

Not many of those would get into our first team on merit, though.

id say that Sneyd, Gidley and Richards would. Probably Dobson too

Luke Gale would walk into our team.

This as been a problem for the last 2 years and will be this year and no surprise we aint won anything during this time.



This comes down to planning and player recruitment.

i would have gale any day of the week and he can bring denny solomona with him