The best offence is a good defence. Over the last few seasons it’s become increasingly clear that coaches in the NRL are sticking to this mantra.
Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor’s recent comments regarding his team’s 0-8 loss to the Cowboys has brought this issue into the spotlight yet again.
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“Regardless of the team we played tonight we conceded one try and our defence was the best it has been all season,” Taylor said.
“In the NRL you can’t come last in defence and be anywhere near the eight.”
Well in that regard, Taylor is right.
In the last 10 seasons, only one team has won the premiership without being ranked first or second in the league in defence – the Tigers in 2005. Last year’s champions, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, were ranked third in attack, but first in defence.
In 2013 the Roosters were ranked first in both attack and defence, while in 2012 the Melbourne Storm were second in attack but first in defence.
One would think the best team in the competition would be at the top of the table in both attack and defence, but that is not always the case.
In 2010 the St George Illawarra Dragons won the title despite being eighth in attack – but were first in defence. Melbourne Storm won in 2009 (salary cap drama aside) with an attack ranked 11th in the league and a defence ranked second.
In 2006 the Brisbane Broncos were one of the worst attacking teams in the competition (12th), but won on the back of their defence (first).
You get the picture.
This ‘defence first’ focus, combined with other negative tactics such as wrestling, has stifled rugby league’s development as a sport.
The game has devolved from a spectator’s sport to an arm wrestle.
Rather than throwing the ball around and encouraging innovative play, we promote boring, one-up, mistake-free football (which will be highlighted in this year’s State of Origin series).
The quickest way to change this defence first mentality? Drop the number of interchanges, which will lead to more line-breaks in the dying minutes of the game.
Who would say no to more tries?
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