We parrot. We repeat. We regurgitate received wisdom. This causes mythologies to develop, myths that make us feel wise.
The echoes from others confirm our myths.
One of the most repeated myths in rugby is that South Africa kicks all the time and looks to win with penalties, and New Zealand looks to run and offload and score tries.
It’s relatively easy to dispel this myth.
In the 2013 Rugby Championship, we can look at the four Tests by the top two teams against Australia to see the two sides were very similar in how they both beat the Wallabies twice. In some ways, the Springboks showed more verve.
Kicking from hand: South Africa 27.5 times per Test, New Zealand 30.
Passing the ball: South Africa 117 passes per Test, New Zealand 102.
Running the ball: South Africa 102 times per Test, New Zealand 84 times (though with better effect).
New Zealand did complete more offloads (7.5 versus 6.0 per Test), but the stats on beaten defenders and clean breaks were very close.
As for tries scored against Australia, it was 8-7 in favour of New Zealand: hardly supporting the claim of a rabidly attacking All Black team versus conservative Boks.
But what about when they played each other?
In their two Tests against each other, New Zealand kicked from the hand 21 more times than the Springboks, made 30 fewer passes and one less offload, made five fewer clean line breaks, and ran with the ball 44 fewer times.
They did better than South Africa when they ran, they passed better at critical times, and they beat more Bok defenders (49 times) than Boks beat Kiwi tacklers (36).
But surely we can move past this myth? What other myths are we foolishly holding on to?
richard
Guest
no,'maori' i.e just ran over the top of you.
Harry Jones
Expert
In 2013, at Eden Park, NZ had the ball 52% of the game, and at Ellis Park, NZ had it 42% of the time. So, in the two Tests, NZ had it 47% of the time, in total. At Ellis Park, both teams committed to run at times when they ordinarily would not have in typical Tests, because SA had to win and score 4 tries, and NZ had to top that.
Harry Jones
Expert
hi bb it's hard to gather kick-pass-run stats from pre-pro era, but don't you think both NZ and SA have always played very solid smart rugby with a good mix of kick-run? I wager the stats are much closer (which stands to reason for the 1 and 2 teams in the world); and it's more about decision making in the moment and the quality of 10s (NZ tops us) and 9s (we might have the edge over the years). Dunno; but I think the truth is rugby is a kicking game; not just a run with ball game.
Harry, the comforting about myths are for those who like to believe in them it doesn't waste any energy. ;)
Harry Jones
Guest
100% right
jason8
Guest
The amount of kicking done by the Boks isnt the problem... its the quality, the timing and the appropriateness of that action that is lacking.
almark
Guest
It is noticeable that the all blacks kicked more last year however I think the real defining point comes down to; 1) where they are on the field when the kick it. 2) Is there as option to run. 3) Are the contestable kicks or are they looking for touch. A reasonable criticism of Morne Steyn (who I think was up there with Wilkenson) was that he would stand deep in the pocket, on half way with an overlap and kick for touch (albeit with a very strong attacking lineout) but that was a kicking team. The all blacks are doing more box kicks from around there 10 meter line, no doubt, and the spring boks are running more from inside there half.
Mark
Guest
1. There is little statistical difference in a lot of your numbers. 2. There is zero context to any of your numbers (such as possession, opportunity to run or need to kick).
PiratesRugby
Guest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2CX5J80TjM
Garth
Guest
- The french flair and thuggish aspect of french rugby were also widespread and, imo, exaggerated. Tell that to Buck Shelford.
Garth
Guest
Tongan sidestep.
richard
Guest
Jonah Lomu had a great Maori sidestep *fixed*
PiratesRugby
Guest
Nor is scrummaging. There is a kind of nostalgia for running rugby. As though all we have do is play like an Ella highlight reel. Good kicking is a vital part of the game. Restarts, penalty goals, drop goals, conversions, free kicks and kicking in general play. They are all important ways of advancing your team and putting pressure on the opposition. If people just want running, passing and collisions then switch to NRL.
Harry Jones
Expert
Mythbuster Post Alert: I think most ROARers have a received wisdom myth consensus that in 2009, SA won the 3N by kicking the cover off the ball, and NZ lost because they ran too much. Then, the myth goes, NZ got smart and introduced kick-chase from 2010-2013 and reasserted their edge over SA. So, 2009 would be the apex (in the Myth) of SA KICK NZ RUN. Let's go to the numbers. In 2009, SA and NZ played thrice, in Bloem, Durbs, and Hamilton. In the first test, SA kicked from hand 2 times more than NZ, and ran it one time more (75-74). NZ gained more meters per run (barely), and NZ runners beat 14 defenders while SA beat 12, but the two sides has the same number of clean breaks. NZ completed 7 offloads and SA had 6. Hardly fits the Myth; and that was 2009, before Meyer "transformed" the Boks. The second test fits the Myth better, but even in that one, SA had more offloads than NZ. In the third test, SA kicked only 4 more times than NZ (who was desperate to score). If we keep the Myth to the Kick More Run More Doctrine, and look at the "Worst Year" (2009), I think we will start to doubt the Myth.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Harry Jones : with that statement, u put urself in trouble ma8. i think their ranking is a reflection of their wins n losses. the same analysis is what i propose, but from different era if possible. again i think they have chaned their style from ball in hand adventure to a more conservative style. stats will tell :)
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Ha, during the Bulls vs Tahs game when the Bulls player went for a drop goal and all around the ground there was a loud "boooooooooo!". Seems thats just not done in Australia.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Yes, there was nothing strategic about Barnes' kicking. It ended up just giving away posession. Poorly executed kicks. No chasers. No pressure. And the backline moves were just one-out stuff resulting in players becoming isolated. It's like the coach spoke to every player individually but that they never spoke as a group. It was usually painful to watch.
Harry Jones
Guest
I wish we could submit our own photos for articles. I'd have inserted the two fullbacks; Le Roux and Dagg. Dagg is the better 15, but he does kick for touch more than Le Roux; who kicks almost like an extension of a pass.
Mapu
Guest
Barefoot rugby from 5-10 years with snow on the ranges.yea was cold alright.running flat out on the spot.
Harry Jones
Guest
I was unable to comprehend your erudite, cogent, literate, prescient post. I'm eating a raw kudu I wrestled to the ground with my 10 kids helping. It needs to be simpler for me to didact it, stu