This week The Roar Rugby Show is all about the big clash between the Brumbies and the Sharks.
I’ve identifies ten key areas to watch in the match and have included video analysis for each to demonstrate what we can expect in the match.
The keys are:
Lineout – the Brumbies are ranked number 1 in the competition, with 93 per cent of their own ball won, but the Sharks are ranked number 3, with 91 per cent so it will be a real battle. The Sharks are a good mauling team but they do use an illegal maul technique sometimes. I’ve also included an example from the Rebels showing how to shut their maul down.
Scrum – the Sharks have a powerful scrum but are only ranked tenth in the competition at this stage, with 84 per cent of their own ball won, while the Brumbies have the worst-performed scrum in the competition, winning only 75 per cent of their own ball.
Don’t give Francois Steyn opportunities to kick penalty goals – it’s an obvious one isn’t it?
The Sharks use a very structured attack – the examples I’ve included show just how pre-planned most of their attack is.
The Sharks have a very good defensive system that establishes a wall right across the field.
That defensive wall very quickly becomes an attacking wall on a turnover – this created their only try last week against the Rebels.
We can expect both teams to kick the ball long and often – neither team wants to play from their own half.
Despite this preference, both teams will counter attack if the opposition chase line after a kick is disjointed.
The keys to breaking down the Sharks’ defensive wall are patience, support runners changing angles and inside passes. The examples I’ve included show how each element creates opportunities.
The Sharks’ defensive structure will shut down any lateral attack very easily so the Brumbies must be direct in their attack.
After considering these key points I’ve tipped the Sharks to win this one.
