The myth of the mobile forward pack

 

Roar Pro

By Mushi, 26 Jun 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

Tagged:

 NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin

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I’m a Queenslander so feel free to take this with a grain of salt, but I think for NSW to be competitive, their mobile forward pack theory needs to be addressed.

Yes, NSW had success in the past with this, but it needs to be remembered that was during a period when they were the clearly dominant team, talent wise.

Without a halves combination that can operate behind a beaten pack, or two clearly dominant high work rate frontrowers, the mobility strategy is doomed for failure.

Let’s take a look at game two, where NSW chose to go with three props, none of whom average more than 51 minutes per game at NRL level, and five second rowers, all of whom were either true backrowers or backrow playmakers.

So what happened on the park as a result?

NSW got a combined 99 minutes out of their frontrowers, which for those counting at home is 61 minutes shy of a complete game for two positions, and a paltry 17 hit ups for 124 metres.

Their entire forward pack ended up with 53 hit ups for 386 metres, meaning that the Blues asked their mobile back rowers for two-thirds of their grunt work.

It is very tough for mobile backrowers to run wide of the ruck and provide the backbone to the defensive line if they are being asked to expend energy getting into the trenches and doing a job they aren’t suited to.

To put in perspective how little the NSW pack gave their backs, Petro Civoniceva on his lonesome contributed more in the trenches than the sky blue frontrow, with 17 hit ups for 133 metres.

As a team Queensland were able to get 160 minutes from their four props and 40 hit ups for 270 metres, with 75 and 457 metres from the pack as a whole.

This meant the props allowed their backrowers to focus on what they are supposed to do best, keep their energy for defence and fringe of the ruck running.

It is important to understand the job each player has when picking a side rather than falling in love with gifts unusual to a position. I think NSW selectors need to remember the job of the forwards is first and foremost to go forward.

Otherwise, you are simply asking your completely outmatched backline to also play on the back foot.

Though, as a Queenslander, I hope they never figure it out.

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