The best offence is a good defence. Over the last few seasons it’s become increasingly clear that coaches in the NRL are sticking to this mantra.
Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor’s recent comments regarding his team’s 0-8 loss to the Cowboys has brought this issue into the spotlight yet again.
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“Regardless of the team we played tonight we conceded one try and our defence was the best it has been all season,” Taylor said.
“In the NRL you can’t come last in defence and be anywhere near the eight.”
Well in that regard, Taylor is right.
In the last 10 seasons, only one team has won the premiership without being ranked first or second in the league in defence – the Tigers in 2005. Last year’s champions, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, were ranked third in attack, but first in defence.
In 2013 the Roosters were ranked first in both attack and defence, while in 2012 the Melbourne Storm were second in attack but first in defence.
One would think the best team in the competition would be at the top of the table in both attack and defence, but that is not always the case.
In 2010 the St George Illawarra Dragons won the title despite being eighth in attack – but were first in defence. Melbourne Storm won in 2009 (salary cap drama aside) with an attack ranked 11th in the league and a defence ranked second.
In 2006 the Brisbane Broncos were one of the worst attacking teams in the competition (12th), but won on the back of their defence (first).
You get the picture.
This ‘defence first’ focus, combined with other negative tactics such as wrestling, has stifled rugby league’s development as a sport.
The game has devolved from a spectator’s sport to an arm wrestle.
Rather than throwing the ball around and encouraging innovative play, we promote boring, one-up, mistake-free football (which will be highlighted in this year’s State of Origin series).
The quickest way to change this defence first mentality? Drop the number of interchanges, which will lead to more line-breaks in the dying minutes of the game.
Who would say no to more tries?
Scottyvee1986
Roar Rookie
I dont think its the number of points that is scored in a game really mean the quality of the game. Prime example is the 2013 final between Roosters vs Manly. What a game that was, tough and some quality football. Final score? 4-0. Defense wins games not only in league but in a lot of different sports. The NRL has tried to speed up the ruck and encourage open play but that has failed, i dont think the speed this year is really any different than last year. Like it has already been said they need to reduce the interchange rule so that forwards have a chance to get fatigued which will then open up the game and encourage "the little" guys to run amok.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Coaches have conservative game plans because it's fairly safe and easy to win a penalty from the inevitable minor ruck infringement and perform structured attack off the back of such a penalty from good position. A good defence will control position and give away the least penalties. I put this almost entirely down to the success of the Wayne Bennett coached Broncos -- strong defence, wrestling coaches, and big outside backs to take extra carries in the middle (at one point they had Carroll, Tuqiri and Sailor in the backs) saw them be one of the most effective and copied sides of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
turbodewd
Guest
37 isnt a disaster. But we need several years to see if there is a trend. I think its more important to focus on the quality of each contest. Are the average margins of victory the same or lower or higher? Ideally we want the average margin of victory to be small.
bbt
Guest
Tough, tight games are the exciting ones, IMHO. Games like last Sunday Raiders vs Dogs was exciting because of the comeback and close finish - the standard of defines from both sides was frustrating. The missing word is always intensity - and intense close game, whether defensively strong, or a try athon, will always bring the crowd to their feet. It is impossible to have every game a blue ribbon one. It will never happen.
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
Last year there was an average of 41 points a match, this year it's an average of 37. This downward spiral will continue with this defence first attitude.
jamesb
Guest
Then what do you think of the Tigers/ Cowboys game?
turbodewd
Guest
CAn we see some stats that prove that defence is ruling the roost? The last game I attended was a 41-34 shootout between my Raiders and the Doggies. I dont rugby league has a try scoring problem. We have a problem with poor crowds, pointless scrums, ever-changing jerseys, and a mid-season NRL slump caused by Origin.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
Great article Jamo, I like the idea of reduced interchange but also think we need to go back to one ref as well. One ref will be able to control the speed of the game, I think bringing in more cards for repeated offences would open up the game as well
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
If I wanted to see an arm wrestle I'd go to the pub.
The eye
Guest
Either team has no right to call that good defensive efforts..they were both basically doing tackling pad drills.. 2 game changing attacking clangers by the Tigers lost them the game...Tedesco too aggressive on a grubber that should never,ever have been dropped and Waqaima down the other end wasnt a particulary difficult fluffed ball to hang onto..NQ got their one opportunity and with all due respect the less dumber of the 2 sides...deservedly won the game..
sheko
Guest
If you don't want to see an arm wrestle watch touch football.
jamesb
Guest
People always question "Do we have enough talented players to spread around 16 clubs"? Maybe the question should be re-phrased " Do we have enough talented coaches to spread around 16 clubs"? The answer to that is no. Coaches have conservative game plans, which in effect, they are only looking after their own job. And the coaches are not getting the best out of their own players.
Mike from Tari
Guest
What were the rankings of the sides that lost the GF's & how many trie were scored in the games.