This is my first article I’ve written about anything really so before you read, comment and ask what would I know, I thought I’d give a little background.
I am a New South Welshmen having been bought up on country rugby for the mighty Muswellbrook Heelers as a kid, went off to boarding school in Sydney, I played my first season of senior rugby for Wagga Ag College and now ply my trade in Townsville for the Fish (Brothers). So here it goes, time to open a can of worms!
I am not personally the most talented rugby player so I try to learn as much as possible, work on my roles within teams, which traditionally has been lineout jumping, higher work rate second rower. With this thinking comes questioning when coaches bring in a new structure to play by.
A few years back our A-grade coach changed our club’s method of play from an around the corner style to one in which we had designated pods and we all knew very well where we had to be, who should be with us and what we were trying to achieve by where we are standing in the attacking line.
Reflecting back to that preseason I remember thinking ‘This feels like rugby league’, so I wasn’t a fan initially, but come game one of the season I was very much on board. I remember looking up thinking about the space in front, talking to fly halves, fullbacks and inside centres telling them things like “cuts on”, “play out the back” and my favourite “spread, spread its on”.
With this in mind I find it very confusing the brush that guys like Mike Hooper and Scott Higginbotham get painted with that they are ‘seagulls’. Having read The Roar on and off for a number of years, I gather it’s got to do with the NSW versus Queensland mindset that seems to run rife through almost all sports. This is also coupled with supporters of teams like the Force also wanting their guys selected.
The other factor which I will not understand is the Aussie mentality of bagging our players, many of whom are revered around the world for their skill sets and quality. Maybe this is the rooting for the underdog in us.
Let’s look at Hooper as case study. I have read “he doesn’t do work in tight”, “He is a centre playing flanker” and the real catalyst for this article “he doesn’t turn over ball in tight, its always against outside backs”.
(AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
Firstly, how many line breaks or metres in contact does Hooper have within five metres of a line out? I would call that ‘in tight’ in the modern game. Halfbacks and fly halves have amazing passes and most southern hemisphere teams (even A-grade sides in Townsville) try to have forward runners running wide to stretch defences or get big guys running at smaller defenders, just like the Tahs did in 2014 with props and second rowers pounding that area between the posts.
Hooper being called a centre is purely because of where he is standing at times but have a look at most professional teams. Most of them will have their back row players either running hard lines or supporting outside backs out wide, because those rucks need winning too.
Just last night Gareth Evans made huge inroads against the Lions playing even wider than we are use to seeing Hooper. Having the bigger body carrying usually allows for post contact metres and if they are used to clean out, they allow for fast clean ball. Makes sense to me, it’s worked for teams I’ve played for and it’s not just Michael Cheika that employing this tactic.
Lastly, claiming that a pilfer coming out wider than traditionally holds less value than one from a pick and drive is just wrong. If we manage to get a turnover out wide you will usually have wingers, centres and possibly another forward there in support.
If we can use the space that the opposition was trying to exploit against them we should see our wingers in space and easy metres made. The way that the modern game has progressed in tight we are seeing hookers, props and even halfbacks creating turnovers as we try to improve the overall skill set of all players.
I know that many people who read these articles have played, watched and are true fanatics of the sport but just because the game was traditionally played a certain way does not mean that coaches aren’t trying to find new ways of scoring points, up skilling players and modernising the game with the elite athletes that we are producing world wide.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Classic Misdirection, Dominant tackles in the back line don't defend a ruck or stop a ball carrier..
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Nick, I have seen Hoops standing outside Phipps on the try line a lot for the tahs when they are up against it. I have also seen Higgers Hunt and others Blast through him there as well, so I don't think it works very well. I posted below that it looks like the Tah's play 3-1-3 + 1. Ned backs up both pods if they get overloaded or ball carries up the middle. This is why I got the impression that he was all over the field and "Into Everything" in the last few Tah's Games. I am pretty sure I saw it again against Fiji but I was enjoying Coleman, Taf's and Hunt's performances up front and I stopped paying attention. I challenge you on your assertion that Hooper did any clean outs. There were some Meercats at the top of the mound but I saw no bodies being moved or removed other than his. I just don't believe it is in his skill set nor his assignment in Cheik's plan.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Neil, From what I have read, Nick is on the Hooper Love train, He has already written a great article extolling the virtues of the attacking strategy and his skill set. I don't disagree with the analysis. I don't expect anyone to take my word for my observations either, please make them for yourself. So during the Scotland game, whenever the Scots are attacking either with the ball or trying to shove a ruck, take the time so see which players are there. If the pod system is 1-3-3-1 and you should expect to see both of the flankers to be hitting roughly the same number of rucks. if the Fiji game is anything to go by you will see a lot of Ned, a lot of Higgers lot of Karmichael and a lot of Coleman's distinctive headgear. So where is Hooper you ask? and here is the kicker : From what I can see the Walabies and Tah's actually run a 3-1-3 +1 pod system. the +1 being Hooper in the extra man in the 12 channel. Ned in the middle runs a similar track to Ginea, 4th man on the scene, protecting the counter ruck for both pods. Hoops is renowned for being able to go all day and for the large number of tackles he initiates. This is pretty easy to do if you have Ned, Mumm, Pocock or Fardy doing the heavy lifting for you while you stand outside the halfback in defense and behind the 12 in attack (a short fullback position). As I said in my Rant, Hooper's role has very little to do with being a forward. Option one: Accept it as reality, but before you criticize Hanigan or or Higgers for not doing enough up front, or protecting Isolated players in the midfield, remember that they are doing 50% more ruck work than a regular loosie. Their fatigue rate is faster and they are dead on their feet by the end of the game, allowing a fresh Hooper to
swanseagull around scoring tries and collecting watches. Footnote: Seiko only seem to give their watches to high profile players....Conspiracy or just good marketing, you decide. Option two: Go modern traditional. Let Alcock loose on the field, and drop the extra insert runner at 12. The danger in this is that we might realize who the 12 Insert runner should be, but that is a topic for another rant.PeterK
Roar Guru
thanks, good info,
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
There are many more variables than that Peter... To give a couple of examples - the Wallabies do not play 1-3-3-1 in the last third of the field (the opposition red zone) so Hooper is not playing wide there. He will often play short off 9 or 10. It takes some time (at least three or four phases) to resolve into that 1-3-3-1 formation from a set-piece. What is Hooper doing in those three or four phases? Cleaning out or carrying the ball.
PeterK
Roar Guru
but he would be in 1 man pod on 1 side of the field, when play went to the other side the no 6 in the other 1 man pod would be involved I see each would be involved in the ones on their side of the field.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
It depends on the 7's role in the system Peter. Typically he would not be playing in a three-man pod.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Not only is Hooper second on dominant tackles with 27, the next best oz players are at equal 44 on nearly half that 14 dominant tackles. Fardy, RHP and G Smith. This won't fit timbo's narrative so will dismiss spuriously.
PeterK
Roar Guru
which obviously means he 7 is not chasing the ruck and hence can't be at most of them
Clash
Roar Pro
Kamahl made that question just after we arrived in Oz and I Was quite taken aback by the unpleasantness folk have between themselves.... mostly between States. Between countries maybe but Us Scots never really showed that hatred even towards Sassenachs. Is it lack of upbringing? ?
Clash
Roar Pro
I do so agree with you Jock. It's getting to the stage where once it reaches the sixth tackle or phase then the stand off will kick the ball dor a winger to take. Did I hear some sniggering going on in the back seats?
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
That is a great illustration Bakkies. In answer to some of the Q's above (and discussed by Nick Mallett in the video) a player is 'in pod' when he is playing in the same channel, and with the same group of players around him, all the way up and down the field. In other words, he doesn't move laterally and chase the ball.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
https://www.alloutrugby.com/stats/?seasonid=32&view=categories&action=players_of_type&roundno=16&type=Tackles - Dominant Second for 2017 in dominant tackles. That current enough for you Timbo?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
More of the same misdirection, I have no problem with the pod system or wide running loosies. It can be an effective tactic. Give me Ardie Savia running in the 1 Man Pod any day of the week, you have my blessing. He is a hard nut that can run and tackle and ruck and maul. It isn't the structure I have a problem with, it is the skills of the man. When Rugby goes the way of GridIron and you can sub an entire team on for defense, I am all in! Until that happens, all, players need to proficiently perform all of the roles required by their positions in both attack and defense.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Peter, As I said, this is a common occurrence, the percentages that this happens is most definitely not common for a forward. I am pretty sure that it is 2017 and I am certain I can find these events in every game. Do you have anything current and relevant that isn't rhetoric from a yearning for days past?
Jock M
Guest
Peter K. In the armateur days you played what was ahead of you not like this nonsense today with its league like phases and ball retention because the opposition has been outlawed from winning possession and are inclined not to even try to win the ball or put pressure on at the breakdown. The game has lost its spontaneity and urgency- no wonder Australian crowds are shrinking and franchises are going broke.
John R
Roar Guru
Good word that one Marto. Bloody good word.
Marto
Guest
In the words of my Doyen & Spiritual Leader, Kamahl, "Why are people so unkind". (FYI, John R, a Doyen is the senior member of a body, class or profession.)
Link
Guest
Timbo ( L) Slow clap, clap, clap .Clap..... Standing Ovation !!
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Great post, I have argued long that if you don't do your core job well you shouldn't be out there, at least not in the position your in.