Last weekend Wasps dismantled the powerful Leicester machine, showing a clear path for international teams wondering how on earth to beat the all conquering All Blacks in this year’s World Cup.
Make no mistake, Leicester are not the All Blacks of provincial rugby. But as a base comparison goes, this year’s squad do the All Blacks no injustice. Leicester’s domination of Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership final had something regal about it. They didn’t just expect to win the game – they expected to win it comfortably and with style. This attitude is rarely seen outside of an All Black jumper.
Leicester’s first team has great forward play, a set of halves willing to attack and a backline with the kind of firepower most Super 14 teams can only dream of. The Tigers also possess the most important quality required to do well across the national and international club competitions – depth. Where Leicester had enough depth to contest three competitions, New Zealand probably have enough depth to enter two teams in this years world cup and expect both to be favourites.
Wasps however do not currently possess the depth of Leicester. Nor does their first team match the talent of Leicester’s. Wasps made no apologies for targeting the Heineken Cup this year rather than trying to stretch their top team week-in week-out across the three competitions. It was European Cup glory or nothing.
Faced in the final against a team with superior attacking firepower and flair, Wasps victory was a well studied one. Paul Sackey never allowed giant Samoan winger, Alesana Tuilagi more than a couple of steps to build up speed and Sackey’s team-mates never left him to tackle Tuilagi by himself. Wasps fly half, Alex King, kicked with great precision putting the ball over the heads of Leicester’s dangerous back three, rather than down their throats.
By doing so, Leicester were effectively disabled of their counter-attacking weapons. Wasps’ stifling defence was reminiscent of that employed by South African teams – relentless and at times bordering on illegal.
The overall scrum contest was decisively won by the Tigers, led brilliantly by props Julian White and Argentina’s Marcos Ayerza. Enduring a man-handling on their own feeds the Wasps forwards did just enough to secure their own ball. However, they overcame this set back by devoting themselves to fighting tooth and nail to spoil every Leicester ruck and maul. Lawrence Dallaglio led the counter-rucking charges, catching a Leicester team, which had seemingly taken recycled ball for granted, by surprise
Every time Leicester looked like cashing in on a few good phases the Wasps forwards somehow found a way to force a turnover. It happened with such regularity that before the first half was done Leicester had lost all confidence in themselves, looking flat and frustrated. Conversely the hungry and energetic Wasps continued to apply the pressure by converting penalties into points until there was nothing left for Leicester to do but wait for it all to end.
It was a triumph of graft and well executed plans. Without the talent pool, firepower or depth to match the All Blacks, the Wallabies coach would do well to follow the Wasps blueprint; make sure your kicks find touch, stick to their big guns like gum to a shoe, contest everything contest every time and most importantly save your big game for when it really counts.
[pic via BBC]
Ziggy
Guest
I think the only we will beat them is to issue a contract to Susie before SA does.
Matt Rowley
Guest
Don't have to go to England to find how to beat the ABs. Just look at Brumbies or Bulls vs Crusaders (core of ABs) at the end of S14 this year: keep hold of the ball and drive them backwards through the forwards - McCaw will leak penalties until he gets sent off. Dangerous AB backs get no counter-attack ball and are nullified. Target the line-out. Problem for the Wallabies though is that we don't have a killer goal kicker like a Burke or Wilkinson to take advantage. I agree with the sentiment about the newfound depth of the Wallabies (thanks largely to 4th S14 team). But see my blog http://greenandgoldrugby.blogspot.com/ asking why the hell we're playing them all out of position.
Danny
Guest
Maybe the Wallabies have bottomed but it's disingenuous to suggest they're well up from their bottom. IRB rankings are deceptive - NZ, SA, France and Ireland are all ahead of Aus on a neutral ground right now. On their day anyone can beat anyone in the top 5 and that's what makes the world cup a lottery. The All Blacks will wear a chokers tag into this RWC and all teams will aim at them - I guess that's flattering for them in a perverse way.
Sione- www.rugbyfobcast.com
Guest
I agree Terry!! The only way that the AB will lose this years RWC is if they beat them selfs. Same thing as last world cup, it only took 1 misguided pass, then the pressure is on then they start to doubt themselves then its all over for another 4 years. I think the AB are more mentally secure then in previous years with a large number of leaders in the group & most of all great depth, which is crucial to any RWC campaign. But if a team is to beat them, in the form that thye AB have been showing in the last 2 years, then this years RWC is going to be the best ever!!!
PB
Guest
Interesting and intelligent thoughts, all. Many bemoan the defensive approach at the top level of the game but if the 1991 World Cup win was due to one factor alone it was mid-field defence. The only team to cross our line in the whole tournament was the USA. We've come a long way from the days when rugby players thought tackle was something you go fishing with. Mostly from the input of league players like Wayne Pearce and Les Kiss, I might add. It's true we have some issues to deal with, but we've been through worse. We'll get through it and come out the other side better off. Rugby forever - warts and all.
Ziggy Olivier
Guest
You will be soundly criticised for nominating the 'boring 'Bok style of play!
Terry Kidd
Guest
I like the story but shouldn't that style of play apply to all teams everywhere? Kick well, chase hard, contest hard and tackle the crap out of anything that moves .... that sort of game plan will unsettle any team and lead to you being able to mount your own attacks. Sap their confidence, drop their heads and you can do what you like very nearly.
jimma
Guest
Mitch: You know the old saying: Hope springs eternal! The proof will be in the pudding. I don't envy the coaching staff
Hayden
Guest
Australia is building some depth now. We have four solid 2nd rowers in Sharpe/Vickerman/Chisholm/Horwill and maybe even Wallace-Harrison. Depth in the backrow, enough good halfbacks to ease any worry and even choices in the back three. Although the centres available cannot play like the All Blacks, they chouldn't have to. Play to your strengths not the oppositions which means think about your game plan. Glouscters tries against the Tigers were through smart lineout thinking.
Mitch
Guest
Jimma, would just like to say it is great to finally see a refreshingly positve spin on Australian rugby 2007. Thanks,
sheek
Guest
Insist on replaying the 1922, 1929, 1934, 1949, 1980, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1998 series & 2003 RWC semi-final over & over. Failing that, recall the services of Susie the barmaid. Failing that, tackle the crap out of them. Can't run, can't score tries. The Saffies proved that in the 1995 RWC final.
jimma
Guest
Are we really that mismatched? Certainly at scrum time maybe, but going on S14 scrum performances I don't think they will be monstered as much as recent years. Certainly I don't see them relinquishing tight heads. I do think that finding touch is incredibly important though. With Sitivini, Rocko and Mils, the AB's have a great counter-attack.The chase is just as important as the kick, make sure there are no quick throw ins. An added bonus is the AB's struggling lineout, hopefully Vicks can pinch a few. I definitely think our loose forwards can match it with the AB's though. Smith, Waugh and Elsom have all been fantastic this year, with the only question mark being over who plays at 8. If you want contest at the breakdown Hoiles has to be the man. If you want a ball carrier perhaps Palu is a better option. Freir, Shepherdson are also extra hard working at ruck and maul time. Bernie has proven he is still capable, and Mortlock could be in a career defining year. Add Giteau in (wherever they play him!) and I think the back line is strong. Add some youth in the form of Holmes and perhaps A-A-C/Mitchell and Shepherd on the other wing, it is a solid backline. LT if he turns up can single handedly turn a game (see Auckland Bledisloe last year) he has no fear of the AB's, that's half the battle. I don't think the gap is as far as it appeared at the end of the last test season. All it takes is that one game, just like in 2003.