Scout report: A detailed look at Wigan Warriors target Jacob Miller

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josie andrews
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Scout report: A detailed look at Wigan Warriors target Jacob Miller

Post by josie andrews »

If rumours are true, Jacob Miller could soon be a Wigan Warriors player.

The club is thought to be pursuing a deal for the Wakefield Trinity livewire, despite him being under contract next season.

Clearly, the Warriors are in need of a new halfback with Jackson Hastings heading to Wests Tigers. Additionally, Tommy Leuluai could be retiring, leaving the club short of options.

Their pursuit of Miller has raised curiosity in some quarters but clearly the Warriors think he's a worthwhile investment. So what does make Miller standout?

Here, we take a look at his stats to determine what the Warriors could be getting.

Offensive contributions

Miller has played 19 Super League games this season and assisted 14 tries, scoring four. That means he is just short of directly impacting on a try per game for Trinity this season.

With 18 direct impacts, Miller has played a key role in exactly 25% of Wakefield's tries this season, the highest in the Trinity team and one of the highest in Super League. Jackson Hastings is third in this department, directly impacting 30% of Wigan's tries this season.

Miller's halfback Partner, Mason Lino, has produced 13 direct impacts but has done it in 22 appearances, making Miller the more productive of the two in attack.

Kicking duties

Miller has played a secondary role in the kicking department this season.

He has made 118 kicks in general play where Lino has made 186. Furthermore, Lino has made 85 attacking kicks, compared to Miller's 53.

That, however, should not be seen as a significant problem for Wigan.

Why? Because Harry Smith has taken on the role as Wigan's primary kicker, and who Miller will likely partner next season. Smith is the competition leader for attacking kicks, even overcoming Marc Sneyd, which he has more general play kicks than Hastings too.

Miller wouldn't need to be Wigan's senior kicker and he would likely take a similar role with the Warriors.

Running game

Few would doubt that Miller's biggest strength is his running game, and this is something Wigan will miss once Hastings departs.

The former Man of Steel carries the ball more than any other halfback in Super League and does so by a considerable distance. He is currently fifth in Super League's charts for carries made with 364. Jonny Lomax is the next highest on 205, showing the gulf between Hastings and the rest.

Miller comes in fourth for carries made by a halfback at 165, slightly behind Tui Lolohea.

It's worth noting that, given Wigan are generally one of the stronger teams who have more possession, Miller should get more opportunities to run with the ball in cherry and white.

Defensive capabilities

Interestingly, Miller is one of the worst defenders in the league if you look purely at the numbers.

He has made 77 missed tackles this season. Only Brad Dwyer and James Maloney have made more.

With a tackle success rate under 80%, that's one of the lowest in Super League too.

It's an interesting stat given that many coaches speak about Miller's defensive qualities as one of his key strengths, although this isn't translated into the stats available.

Of course, the stats don't tell you about positional play, organisation and all the other qualities needed to be a good defender that can't be illustrated by figures.

Key stats

Direct impacts on tries (percentage of tries scored by Wakefield)

2021: 18 (25%)

2020: 8 (14.08%)

2019: 25 (24.5%)

2018: 34 (26.3%) - Super League's top assister

2017: 26 (20.8%)

Tackle success rate

2021: 79.7%

2020: 78.9%

2019: 77.6%

2018: 82.1%

2017: 83.8%

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... d-21580532
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
God2
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:09 pm

Re: Scout report: A detailed look at Wigan Warriors target Jacob Miller

Post by God2 »

I think he’s a good player and will do well for us.
fozzieskem
Posts: 6494
Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 10:54 am

Re: Scout report: A detailed look at Wigan Warriors target Jacob Miller

Post by fozzieskem »

God2 wrote: Wed Sep 15, 2021 7:40 pm I think he’s a good player and will do well for us.
Yes I have a feeling he will do ok for Wigan too
Wiganer Ted
Posts: 3189
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:31 pm

Re: Scout report: A detailed look at Wigan Warriors target Jacob Miller

Post by Wiganer Ted »

That the MEN is running this suggests they know Miller will be at Wigan 2022.
pedro
Posts: 5293
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2004 9:37 pm

Re: Scout report: A detailed look at Wigan Warriors target Jacob Miller

Post by pedro »

hes the second best half at wakefield....very underwhelming to say the least but then again so are all our signings for next year.
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