In either a brave or an impulsive move only weeks into his tenure at the helm of New Zealand’s First XV, Steve Hansen has already axed a longstanding partnership with high-tech video analysts, Veruso Technologies.
For the past four years the company has provided in-depth statistical analysis to the All Blacks brain-centre, delivered by 4am of the morning following each match.
Technology creator George Serrallach originally designed the 3D imaging software to analyse football players’ passing, kicking and tackling, and soon realisead the tool could provide invaluable insights for high performance coaches.
It “allows us to provide a three-dimensional analysis of the game,” he said. “They can turn the head of Dan Carter and see what he sees at his right and left. They can figure out whether he has made a high quality decision.”
The technology is presently used by Super Rugby coaches and Trans-Tasman rival Australia.
“I feel sad in the sense that I think we gave the New Zealand Rugby Union an edge. We have been proven by [the All Blacks] being number one over the last few years and I believe that we were a part of this success. I don’t think that whatever they have chosen to replace us will provide the same level of detail.”
Former head coach Graham Henry was a stickler for detail, preferring to underline key selections and decisions with sound information. But Serrallach says Steve Hansen and his assistants appear to favour intuition over information, a position that might quickly change if the results don’t fall favourably this year.
Serrallach adds, “This information can be worth one or two tries per game.”
Well, as we witnessed in the epic Rugby World Cup grand final last October, a single point was the difference between the Webb Ellis Trophy staying in New Zealand or becoming a French resident for the next four years. And that on the strength of a Stephen Donald penalty.
Dumb decision, Mr Hansen. Gut feelings are not the basis of a game plan.
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.
Australian rugby has many problems - financial crisis, ever-shrinking audiences, shortage of coaching expertise, Greg Martin, etc etc. But one problem which I have…
By my count, the Brumbies have played three teams of consequence this season. The first two - the Chiefs and Blues - thrashed them…
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says it’s “purely coincidental” that Semipeni Finau has put on a massive, late hit on a fourth fly-half in nine…
He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
I don’t really get the comparisons between Joey Manu and Sonny Bill Williams. I realise they have the Roosters in common, along with a…
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year's end, while committing his future to New…
