It’s difficult to obtain statistics on the number of tackles made by players in the four Australian Super 14 teams. The franchises obviously keep their own stats, but they could hardly be expected to release such sensitive information.
The only source for this data that I am aware of is Fox Sports Fantasy Super 14. Stats across a number of categories are shown for each player in the competition.
In order to compare the tackle activity of the Australian players, I used their figures for “Tackles made” and “Minutes played” up to the end of Round 6.
The number of minutes played was converted into “Full-Game-Equivalents” by dividing by 80.
This number was then divided into the total number of tackles to give a score for the number of successful tackles in a full game.
I have no way of knowing what criteria were used to define a successful tackle, but it can be assumed that the data is objective and therefore provides a valid measure of comparative tackle activity.
Thirteen Australian players are averaging ten or more successful tackles per full game. Twelve of them are forwards: they are Luke Holmes, 14.9 (5.9); George Smith, 13.4 (11.8); David Pocock, 13.3 (4.8); Adam Byrnes, 13.1 (4.9); Phil Waugh, 12.7 (10.0); Daniel Braid, 12.0 (8.3); Julian Salvi, 11.6 (11.8); Richard Brown, 11.6 (3.1); Ben Mowen, 10.6 (16.4); Matt Hodgson, 10.3 (16.0); Dean Mumm, 10.0 (11.8); and Stephen Hoiles, 10.0 (7.7).
Luke Holmes at 14.9 has the highest number of tackles per full game, but so far this season he has only played a total of 86 minutes, presumably coming off the bench to play a cameo role where he is fresh and most other players are tiring.
The figures in parentheses are the percentage of attempted tackles which the player missed: Richard Brown with 3.1%, David Pocock at 4.8%, and Adam Byrnes at 4.9% are obviously very efficient tacklers.
The only back to make the merit list is Tom Carter.
He is averaging 14.0 tackles per full game with only 4.2% of his tackles missed.
This reinforces the point that he has a very high work rate. Any back who can average fourteen tackles per game is clearly going looking for involvement, and the figures indicate he very rarely misses his man.
By comparison, the next busiest defenders among the backs are Quade Cooper, 8.8 (16.0); James O’Conner, 8.8 (15.6): and Tyrone Smith, 8.7 (20.0).
Note in each case the very much higher percentage of missed tackles.
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
Link, apologies you are correct. However, if you take the Waratahs in the Super 12/14 for example... 2003 - 344 points against (8th out of 12) 2004 - 274 points against (5th out of 12) 2005 - 174 points against (1st out of 12) 2006 - 192 points against (1st out of 14) 2007 - 317 points against (10th out of 14) 2008 - 186 points against (2nd out of 14) So only 2 out of six years could you categorically say he was the best defensive coach. So Kiss, good defensive coach? Yes. Best in the world? Questionable. Interestingly the Highlanders don't have that bad a defensive record with 2nd,11th,2nd,5th,8th,10th over the same years. My point stands though regarding defense. England nearly won the damn thing and just about had the worst defensive record.
Hoy
Guest
I didn't want to turn it into a debate, I was just responding to the above remark by Left Arm. Anyway, wasn't Muggleton a League player, and now a Rugby super defensive coach? Well it can go both ways, because Peter Ryan was a rugby player who went to league, back to rugby and is now the Broncs defensive consultant or something. Maybe Les Kiss is the "best defensive coach in the world" because he reads play well, and can coach defensive structure well. That is what I imagine anyway.
The Link
Guest
PastHisBest - get your facts right. Les Kiss wasn't the defensive coach for South Africa in 2007
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
RWC '07 - Points conceded. QTRS SEMIS FINAL SAF 67 80 86 NZL 55 - - AUS 53 - - ARG 46 83 - FRA 55 64 - SCO 66 - - FIJ 173 - - ENG 98 109 124 Only 5th best defense to the quarter final stage, 2nd best defense (just) at semi final stage and best out of the two teams in the final. Your argument holds no water Link and proves you don't need the best defense to win a world cup, you just have to score more points than your opponents on the day.
The Link
Guest
South Africa, NSW and Ireland say so.
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
"...how come Les Kiss is the best defensive Rugby coach in the world?" Says who? Les?
The Link
Guest
Only Australian Rugby fans could turn this into a code debate, get over it guys. None of the high profile converts have been noted defenders before they came over. So Hoy how come Les Kiss is the best defensive Rugby coach in the world?
Hoy
Guest
I remember when Wendell was coming over and my league mates were salivating at the thought of Del vs Lomu, saying Del would smash Lomu in defence. I could never see what they saw in Del's defence or any leaguie for that matter. I would suggest that rugby backs are much better defenders than their league counterparts, both in reading the game, and making tackles. I hate turning this into another debate, and that is not my objective, however I really don't think league backs are that great at tackling/defending. Not when they convert anyway.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
In days gone by, the myth was that players with a league background would top the list. not any more. In fact, Tahu is quite ineffective, but when he gets you, he gets you good!!!!
Bruce Ross
Roar Pro
Yes, Justin, the Fantasy site has cumulative numbers on "Tackles missed" as well as "Tackles made" for each player in the Super 14.
Justin
Guest
Not trying to be nickpicky but maybe change the heading to best tacklers. There is a big difference between a great tackler and a great defender. Some interesting stats all the same. Do they have missed tackles asa a number at all?