Right, I’m frustrated enough to write an article about a team that promised so much but delivered so little. I got to this point after reading an article quoting Richard Graham, the new coach of the Western Force, regarding his thoughts on the team’s game plan after a 13 all draw at home against the Brumbies.
“You need to go in to a game with a clear plan in mind”, Graham is quoted as saying.
Really Richard? And what clear plan is that?
Let me explain to you what the game plan looks like from the stands, and this is generally the trend of each game I have watched in Perth and abroad on Foxtel this year.
In the early stages of play, and throughout the match, the Force are inclined to return possession of the football to the opposition via a kick. This is a bad game plan.
Kicking the ball, especially early in the game does two things: It limits the opportunity for your team to handle the ball and forces your team to play a defensive role.
In the early parts of the game a team should be looking to keep the ball in hand, becoming familiar with the pace of the game – recycling, passing, attacking; generally attempting to control the game.
This can only be done while in procession. By kicking you relinquish procession. You actually give the opportunity away to the opposition to control the game. You put your team into a defensive mode – defending soaks up more energy, more quickly – so basically by kicking, or by giving the ball back, you are your worst enemy.
Graham is also quoted as saying, “I think our handling really let us down on the weekend”. Really? I thought that when our boys kept the ball in hand we looked ok.
We might have coughed it up a couple of times, but this stands to reason as the players are just not used to holding onto possession.
They only appear to become comfortable with handling the ball well into the second or third quarter of the game. At least a handling error implies they first had possession. Surely this is a better indicative stat than an increase in tackles made.
“We weren’t able to build any pressure at all,” says Graham. For reasons I’ve already explained – if you’re spending some much time defending and being dictated to, it stands to reason that you won’t be able to build pressure.
Mr Graham, on paper you have a great team. What you do not have is a great game plan.
Rugby is not a complicated game. If you look at the competitive sides in the competition you’ll see teams looking to hold onto the ball, especially in the early stages. They build pressure by making the opposition tackle them. They dictate the play, not by kicking aimlessly, but by playing possession rugby.
Maybe the Western Force need a ‘Waratah-like’ intervention. I know a few members in my row who would be willing to take part.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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