3D Analysis: Waratahs show structure in attack creates opportunities

Thanks Scott. Very nice depiction of forward effectiveness. I would be interested to know what is the metres made (or tries) (or tackles) of the pack divided by the salaries they receive, including top-ups. Then compare it with other Oz teams, especially the Force.

foley isn't quade...which is why he is so good

I thought the exact same thing re Phipps in the final example. I thought his clean out of the 2nd phase ruck was excellently done. Thanks again Scott, I really appreciate your informative articles/videos. I'm learning/appreciating so much more about the game and loving it all the more too, so thanks again!

His passing was rubbish. Behind the man, too high, too low and never "crisp". He's always been a very busy player. He can't be faulted on his defence or his support play. His kicking is routinely rotten. He is a great little player but don't try to tell me he's a good halfback.

This is quality analysis, love watching these.

Thanks Scott. I must say the tahs looked good, how much better would they have looked with passes more consistently in front of the player?

good comment Pete

Yes it's a real skill- the support player needs to be standing at depth & coming onto the ball. Potgeiter does is pretty well. The Highlanders were trying to slow down & attack the breakdown but the quick recycle of the ball frustrated them & inevitably created space for Foley. I hope McKenzie is working closely with Cheika to get the Wallabies forwards doing this against the All Blacks! I've found it so frustrating watching the Wallabies doing one off pick & goes- & get shut down with slow ball or turnovers.

tahs do not have the best defence. You confuse that because they have let in the least tries. However since they kick so little they have overwhelming possession so the opposition have less time / opportunity to score tries. The tackle success rate of the tahs is not in the top 4. If you scaled the number of tries scored against them by the the amount of possession of the opposition this would give you a better indicator of actually how good the defence is. That said the tahs do let in less tries in a game due to their great style of game. They retain the ball so the other team is frustrated and just does not get as many chances to score. Must better than jake ball preying on penalties or mistakes.

One of the keys I thought in the victory & in general for NSW had been their great ability to off load in contact. This creates quick ball & gaps as usually two or more defenders are committed to the tackle. The Crusaders also do this really well in general. The Reds forwards just haven't done it well at all- except I've noticed James Horwill has really improved in this. Thoughts?

What this shows is just how much good coaching and structure can make up for poor technique. Phipps has always been little terrier and quick enough to the ruck, but his pass has always been a question for me. In that, he has a tendency to take a backswing and he can be inaccurate. And Foley isn't Quade. But it just shows how having great structure and awareness of support can make up for passes being a little less than perfect. Then you just wonder how good they could be if they could get the passes right... Then you think back to 2011, and realize that the Reds weren't the same, but there were clear similarities. A few big, key forwards getting over the gain line (not near as many - with Taf/Kepu/Skelton/JackPot/Hooper/Hoiles/Palu, the Tahs really are spoilt for choice, compared to Horwill/Samo/Higgers in 2011 for the Reds), good structure in the backs, and genuine, believable decoys. Decoys who often weren't decoys. Great structure from the coaching staff and executed by the runners can make ANY 9 and 10 look very good.

I actually said on here a few times, a year or two ago, that the Tahs need to work out how to use their big forward runners. Work that out, and how to interplay it with the backs, and they'll be tough to stop.

I wouldn't label Phipps terrible after what I saw on the weekend. His passing was very crisp, he was quick to the ball, and kept his awareness of what was around him.

It is great to see some sophistication coming into Australian attacking play. The attack at the Tahs works so well that it is successful almost in spite of the terrible halves combination of Phipps and Foley. At the Wallabies, White and Foley aren't much better. No doubt Genia and Copper would be much better if they were fit and in form. But they're not.

Brilliant article as usual Scott. Thank you. Regarding the passing, do you think this is a symptom of speed the Waratahs are playing at? Are their teams in super rugby who are as fast and more accurate? Do you think the Waratahs can improve this aspect of their game by the semi finals? I agree that if it is possible to keep the speed and improve the accuracy they would become extremely hard to stop.

It seemed when rudh defence was attempted on the inside backs, the ball was shifted wide to space When the rush D wasn't there, Foley took the line on. The problem the Highlanders created for themselves was they gave up posession too cheaply through midfield kicks or loose play. The Tahs were playing very well with ball in hand.

Scott - as always Excellent analysis. Felt like the Highlanders had to make a lot of key tackles in that first 20 minutes to hang on. Phipps passing is still an issue.

Fantastic again Scott, thank you.