Noble - Hock was outstanding

Kear let down by Wildcats' lack of discipline

Last updated: 25th May 2008

Brian Noble Wigan Warriors coach (putting some chewing gum in his mouth) Mar 08

Noble: Impressed by Hock

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Wigan coach Brian Noble hailed the devastating impact of Gareth Hock after the narrow win over Wakefield.

The back rower shone in front of the watching England coach Tony Smith as the Warriors enjoyed a hard-fought 38-30 victory at Belle Vue.

Switching from second-row to loose-forward to cover for injured captain Sean O'Loughlin, Hock made a mountain of yards in attack.

He also came up with his side's killer fifth try of the afternoon, as the Warriors warmed up for next weekend's Carnegie Challenge Cup trip to Leeds with a confidence-boosting away win on a ground where they traditionally struggle.

"Gareth keeps showing those improvements and he's maturing isn't he?" Noble said.

Difficult?

"Was it a difficult choice to play him at loose-forward? No, no, not at all.

"I thought he could be a threat on both sides of the field, and that was our plan, but he ended up being a threat down the middle.

"He got himself in a position to carry the ball with his footwork, and looked very, very strong again.

"This time last year we got thumped here, around about the same time, so it's good to come away with the points," Noble added.

"This is a very difficult place to come and play, because they scrap and they gouge - and that's not a disrespectful thing to say, because they are always in your face, trying to find a reason to score points.

"They were missing a load of players but whoever shows up and plays for them is tough."

Wildcats coach John Kear bemoaned his side's lack of discipline in the third quarter - possibly caused by fatigue - that saw the Warriors all-but seal the points.

"There were many plus points but we have got to learn about our discipline," Kear said.

"From half-time to 70 minutes we conceded six penalties to nil, and that's when the scoreboard really changed.

"But we were down to our last 17, and there is only Sean O'Loughlin to come into Wigan's strongest team.

"We've got an army of blokes sat in the stands watching the game so that's heartening for us.

"To show we can be so competitive when we're so depleted is very heartening."