Israel Folau is a great signing for the NSW Waratahs and Australian rugby generally. I believe this because in my view league converts (‘converts’) are very successful in rugby union.
Rugby union held onto its amateur roots a little bit longer than rugby league (for example, luring away some potential greats like Wally Lewis who was stuck behind Ella) and in my view what this has meant is that rugby league has developed a little bit quicker than rugby union, as will most things when you inject money into them.
What this means from a footballing perspective is that diets, coaching, defensive structures, attacking strength and overal player ability was (and, in my opinion, still is) higher in rugby league, where the stakes are higher and overall the pay packets too.
I do not say this to intentionally denigrate rugby union or its players, but there are some hard truths (and lessons) to my interpretation. Consider the following ‘developments’ of late in rugby union:
– The increased use of the second man play (a staple of rugby league). Time after time we have seen this play ineffectually executed by rugby union teams you do not play flat enough to the line to properly execute this deception (we often see lazy runners from the Crusaders playing around in the centres, having overrun their routes).
– The rise of the importance of second phase play (again a staple of rugby league) often through the offloads in the centres. Sonny Bill Williams has highlighted two things, the potency of this tactic but also rugby union’s relatively late development of big carriers and quick runners running of their shoulders.
– The use of well known rugby league defensive patterns in rugby union, the umbrella up and in, the dominant tackle, the two man tackle. Look no further than former Eels man John Muggleton for rugby league’s emphasis and influence on line-speed and cohesion now apparent in rugby union.
– The use of Buderus as a ‘collision coach’ and Andrew Johns as a first a kicking coach with the ARU in 2007, and as a mentor for the inside backs at the Rebels in 2010.
But what does this all mean in terms Israel Folau and his potential for success in rugby union?
In my opinion, rugby league backs convert well to rugby union for these reasons:
– They are positionally acute, having become accustomed to the danger of the 40/20, the kick in behind.
– They communicate well in defence, having had to deal with much more complicated set pieces in defence than a winger would traditionally face in rugby union.
– They have defensive linespeed ingrained into them.
– They are very skillful players having to make holes, break lines or off-load against defensive setups, which are almost always reset (as opposed to union, where overlaps are easily created by pulling forwards in). They have the X-factor to make something out of nothing.
– They are much more accomplished under the highball (and Israel is one of the best) having been exposed to receiving ‘bombs’ from a young age.
I personally think that Israel ticks all these boxes and will be a great success for rugby union.
Furthermore, I believe (although it may aggravate many Roarers) that rugby union has a great deal of intellectual capital it can tap into in the form of rugby league, if (and it is a big if) it is prepared to eat some humble pie.
With the increasing emphasis on defensive structures, some sort of sharing of information between the two codes in Australia could help exploit a natural advantage (the existence of rugby league) that Australia has over say France or England.
Rugby union hasn’t seen a player be able to take it to the line, hold the ball up and pull back a pass in attack since maybe Larkham or Cooper. The sad reality is that this flat style of attack is a prerequisite of any seven or six in rugby league.
Roarers, rather than seeing rugby league as a traditional ‘drag’ on the talent pool of Rugby Union, why don’t we start viewing rugby league as a unique asset in defining an Australian method to playing rugby union?
allblackfan
Guest
A rolling maul doesn't need to comprise eight forwards packed around the ball carrier slowly driving uptown. If, say, the winger has the ball near the tryline, his support (probably the centre and the fullback who has come up in an attacking role while the winger on the far side drops back) will probably elect to drive him over and through the defence. That's a maul, possibly even a rolling one. As for splitting the forward pack into different halves, that usually only happens upon restarts on the halfway. In general play, the forwards win the ball at the breakdown and then the flyhalf spins the ball wide (unless it is an Aussie/English team in which case they kick it) for the backs to attack. What you may or may not see is one of two loosies standing off the background ready to chase the ball in advance so that when the tackle is made, they can get there early as possible. Having a divided forward pack when the tackle is made leaves the attacking team vulnerable to counter-rucks. How many times (and again I use NZ as an example) have we seen a winger or centre tackle the ball-carrier, get back onside then counter-ruck even as the loosies arrive. This allows the ball to be turned over and the slower forwards can group in midfield to crash the ball up and allow the backline to realign from defensive to offensive. To my recollection this happened at least twice in the NZ-Aust RWC game (one of which involved SBW). This facet of play is more common than you may appreciate. Good debate in any case. Cheers
JDP
Roar Guru
None of this changes the fact that you imply in point 3 that Izzy must defend a rolling maul. Further, I understand the way Rugby works, noone doubts there will be occassions (very few) when a winger will have to blow over a ball to protect it for his supporting players. However, I think you will find (if you are an astute watcher of the game) often forwards in the modern game split the field into lengthwise halves which allows the backrow (and especially the frontrow) to contest the breakdown irrespective of how wide the ball goes in the field. This idea of a mob of fatties chasing the ball from side to side is one of the past, and therefore the importance of a winger being able to ruck has once again been diminished.
allblackfan
Guest
JP, it's obvious you don't watch much rugby (especially NZ rugby which leads the way in this). Outside backs operate in the tight stuff (rucks/mauls) when play breaks down on the wing ie the ball carrier gets tackled. Since RL doesn't have contested possession, the ball carrier is free to get up and play the ball. In RU, the ball carrier on the ground is required to release the ball and the opposition is free to get it. To stop this, the tackled players' immediate supporters protect the ball (form a ruck) until the slower forwards can arrive. There is not one single AB back who does not get into rucks when required. (They don't take part in mauls because a maul is done more deliberately while a ruck happens on the fly, so to speak) helps maintain possession and maintain the attack. Corey Jane is more inclined to enter rucks (which form when the ball carrier is taken to ground) but will get out quickly and return to position. SBW learnt to do it. Nonu and C Smith and Dagg and D Carter and everyone else does it when required; not all the time but enough. Other national teams have taken their cue from this and are doing it too.
JDP
Roar Guru
Thank you Madrid - I think you grasped my point, a celebration of the differences could lead to improvement for our code was my thesis.
JDP
Roar Guru
Sorry allblackfan I am unsure why you are asking an outside back to work in the tight? (eg your points 2, 3 and 4). Please let me know how many mauls Corey Jane enters? Re: 1 my point about being positionally astute focuses on the proliferation of attacking kicking in behind players in RL, which happens much more in RL than it does in RU - this means that outside backs wingers, have to be aware of the negative space behind them and manage this well. That was all.
JDP
Roar Guru
I don't even watch RL - my point is that if we were slighly less antagonistic regarding RL we could perhaps develop a natural advantage through information sharing.
JDP
Roar Guru
Yes I did mean astute - thanks NC. My point was the execution of the second man play in Rugby Union is poor and reflects the fact that they have only been really doing it properly for the last 5 years. Also I haven't missed a live Wallabies game in close to 9 years - fyi.
allblackfan
Guest
JP, let's look at why you think RL backs can adapt well to RU. 1. Your assumption that they know how to position themselves for the kick behind (ie the 40/20) is flawed. Ru has a kick like that, it's called the wiper. And the purpose is to kick the ball out of touch as deep as possible into the opponents territory. Not to mention the grubber kick (just in and behind), the speculator (kicking on the run behinf the defensive line which SBW and even Thorn learnt in RU), the bomb -- in RU, you can kick out the ball into touch and still get it back. That's why we have this thing called a lineout (I'm not being sarcastic here, just trying to educate) 2. A RL back faces more completed set piece attacks? hardly. Can a RL winger maul or ruck the ball when needed? Or to shadow an attacking player during an opponent's attacking play to prevent the ball passing to his opposite? 3. Defensive linespeed is all and good but about when the opponents'' forward pack decides to maul the ball forward? What need for linespeed then? 4. Skills? Players from both rugby codes have them. Rugby players generally are bigger and when tackles are made, the ball is very quickly wrapped up and a maul/ruck ensues. Finally, it can be argued that the Wallabies are sufferring precisely because they are playing too much like a RL team. They are trying to run the ball before they have even won it. That's a problem in RU with its contested possession; that's why a team like Fiji are not world champions. Get the ball first. Then run with it. That's why RL players who convert to RU are found lacking - they are lazy. They are too used to getting the ball fed to them that they don't know how to got out and get it for themselves.
madrid john
Guest
Great article John, Too often we hear that European teams don't score tries as much because they don't possess the drier pitches we have in the south. I always thought that was a dodgy argument because although i haven't been to NZ, i'd imagine their climate can be pretty wet, but that hasn't seemed to hamper Kiwi teams' try scoring ability. I reckon you've hit the nail on the head, a league influence is no bad thing. Just look what Jason Robinson did for the Poms. Also enjoying the restraint on this post. Amazing how calming some people can discuss the relative merits of both Union and League. Like whiskey and rum, they're not mutually exclusive. There is time and space to savour them both!
PeterK
Roar Guru
Andrew Walker, Jason Robinson and Brad Thorn were all very good converts.
allblackfan
Guest
just another RL fan having another crack at RU! keep up the comedy, mate. you have a future!!
DB
Guest
I cant believe some of the tripe that gets spouted on here sometimes!
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Not a chance, dunno who thought (is that the correct term) this was a good move but it will fall short of expectations as it did for Lote, Wendell, Matt amongst so many others, some with chronically tight hammies. Naturally I will gratuitously offer to apologise if I am wrong but we need analytical fast thinkers, not just hard shoulders in the centres. Has that totally fallen out of the playbook? Surely there is Rugby hopeful or two that may have deserved a chance. Forget spinning the turnstiles which is why he was really chosen. We have to forge teams with a mindset founded on solid, immutable Rugby basics. Once again the 'Tahs demonstrate their first year bachelor of business thinking processes. Will he attract his salary through the gates? Are the Sydney punters that gullible? What is the message sent to club land and their work ethic? There is a huge negative value as far as Rugby is concerned, waiting to unfold. Recruiting Ugly = RU. Dumber, dumb, dum, duh! (I didn't hold back, did I?, nobody disappointed?)
FX GATTO
Guest
It's a long shot to have him ready in time for the June tests, but we sure as hell need somebody big, fast and strong at I/C. Too much risk moving Cummins so far in?
Pogo
Guest
More like saying who is fluffy.
NC
Guest
Rookie indeed! Are you seriously suggesting union hasn't cottoned on to cut out passes and 2nd phase ball? when did you start watching the game? Last week? The point about being positionally acute (assume you mean astute) is lost. The fact is it's different for the two games, hence the confusion many converts experience. I could go on....
mania
Guest
thanx BBB, not sure whether i'm a better person after watching that
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
The Honey Badger - As someone once in the same position as you, allow me to help you out. ;) http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/video-the-honey-badger/
Tigranes
Guest
John I recall a few years back Tahu playing in the centres against South Africa which resulted in Sputh Africa winning 53-8 - it was like Australia were playing with 14 men. I dont think RL teaches these guys good positional play at all, Dell had a limited skill set which made him one of the greatest RL players of all time, but it was not exactly that helpful in RU. His off the ball work was poor.
mania
Guest
thanx i know cummins just never heard called that. i apologise for my ignorance