Support play in Australian rugby at the elite level is about as rare as a politician’s convictions.
A rugby guru-cum-philosopher in Wales captured the four principles of rugby as go-forward, pressure, continuity and support.
Some would add a fifth: contest possession.
But support underpins all of these principles – after all it is a team game, so support around the ball and the ball carrier is fundamental.
After three rounds of Super Rugby we once again see the difference between New Zealand and the rest. It is easy to say the Kiwis have better skills and play an up-tempo game, but how they are able to maximise these advantages? The answer is superior support play.
Whether it is chasing a kick, a line-break or at the tackle area, New Zealand teams realise that go-forward, pressure, and continuity are all derived from urgent support play.
Next time the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Blues or Chiefs make a line break, take a look at how many support players are stacked around the ball. Just count them. More often than not, they will be in the classic diamond formation, with the ball carrier at the tip, supports left and right for the pass, and another trailing. And all busting their guts to get in position to create options for the ball carrier.
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Then have a look at when an Aussie team makes a line break – or, for that matter, the Wallabies more often than not in the last ten years. Even with a wide angle lens, you would struggle to find a support player within a bull’s roar, let alone three of them. And don’t get me started on supporting the kicker by chasing kicks…
I really feel sorry for Mick Byrne. This guy has the onerous task of upskilling the ballwork of our elite players and adapting them to the unstructured game, but it is a waste of time being able to pop an offload on counterattack if there isn’t anyone there to offload to.
I watched the Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs and the Rebels last weekend, as all created opportunities and penetrated the opposition line only to see 80 per cent of try-scoring chances come to nothing, because either no support players were there or one was, who promptly ran the wrong line.
You do not need a PhD to run hard in support and pick a decent line off the ball carrier. It is not rocket science to run a line out wide that avoids putting an opposition player between you and the ball carrier and then watching him snaffle the intercept and run 80 metres to score while you scratch your head in bewilderment.
In the past, we could put this lack of support down to inferior fitness levels, however our Super teams now at least look fit, so there is no excuse for not working hard off the ball.
Are our players too posh to push hard in support? Is this somehow beneath them or their pay grade? I ask this because at senior schoolboy and club level I see kids every weekend support their mates when they have the ball or make a break.
The sooner we fix it the better – we may even see a few of those rare opportunities in the modern game where a player breaks the line get converted into tries.
The Kiwis understand just how vital support play is, even more so nowadays against well-organised defences. It’s about time the Australian teams got it as well.
Bakkies
Guest
Scott Robertson had coached NZ under 20s and would have been involved with the Canterbury NPC side.
Steiner
Roar Pro
Agree Piru that the Tahs are serial offenders and this comes through in the WBs. How was their support for chasing the kick off after 17 seconds last weekend in BA? Beale, Gordon and Folau all made line breaks but I suspect the percentage converted to tries is quite low compared to more clinical teams. Reds showing improvement though which is good. Rebels definitely ahead by some distance in the Oz conference.
Steiner
Roar Pro
Yes PK we saw that after 18 seconds in BA...
Fionn
Guest
Few people to no one have been opposed to Gibson as a result of him being a Kiwi, all I've seen is people questioning whether he has the results to justify his position. The most of what I've seen is some parochial Kiwis talking him up like he's already proven himself an incredible coach, and the Aussie fans saying 'we'll wait until we see his results'. People are opposed to Gibson as his results have been pathetic, not because he is a Kiwi.
piru
Roar Rookie
It's an attitude issue - The Force did it relatively well last year, and are continuing to this year. The Tahs in my opinion are the worst offenders. How many times do you see Hooper with three blokes hanging off him, desperately trying to stay up and moving while his 'support' saunters up. Folau too always seems to be alone when he gets caught with the ball, where is the support?
Bakkies
Guest
Topo absolutely the RA have been ruined by bankers and marketing gurus for far too long. The blokes with Rugby nous have been outnumbered by these 'people' who try to run it like a business than a sporting organisation. On the topic of marketing they were willing to sacrifice their strongest Super Rugby team for the sake of keeping a side in a large market throwing dead money at it (money such as the $13 million write off).
Steiner
Roar Pro
Very true JCM
soapit
Guest
the reds that year would even chuck the ball out the back to support rather than contest a ruck if they got isolated so players knew they had to be trying to get in the area behind the ball with some depth constantly.
soapit
Guest
onlly read the headline perhaps?
Realist
Guest
Re-reading it I can u derstand your concern - and that was not the intent
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez
Guest
Hi Bakkies, Agree wholeheartedly. It is astounding indeed, and it defies any logic that a national sports body does not care for its own history, legacy, intellectual property, etc. I feel here in Australian Rugby there is a case of intra-generational discrimination manifested by animosity, conflict or even jealousy. Believe it or not, the majority of players under Alan Jones (84-87) have been 'minimally' utilised for coaching postings or responsibilities (whether Wallabies, state selections, clubs or schools). Attention, I'm not saying (None) but a minimal percentage. I feel perhaps it is or was a vendetta against Alan Jones (and his boys?) On the other hand, the percentage of players from 1995 onwards is much higher. Also participating in media and TV. Therefore, in my modest opinion perhaps 'the Culture' prevailing with those players is perceived as 'different'. Truth be said the bases of rugby has changed very little. Its principles are the same. So, in terms of strategies, tactics and technique nobody has been disadvantaged from playing in the amateur era. In fact, we were never intimidated by losing a salary or pay packet. We read it as it was and we were very frank with our assessments and corrections needed. I doubt these days when a coach looks for opinions not many will be put forward (coach hears what he wants to hear). Having the almighty dollar in your bank account or not moulds the attitude and sincerity of current players. There may be some exceptions...not many.
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez
Guest
My pleasure Steiner! - That last 'golden nugget' is a real winner - 1player with the ball and 14 without it? is a no-brainer. This is about deploying 14/15th of your team where needed and all the time. By the way, you may coach them, but the decision must be of the individual's (initiative). When players learn to do that for most of the 80 minutes, you'll have a very difficult team to play against! Cheers, ETR
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Far better Mark Ella than Mick Byrne !
Bakkies
Guest
Hi Topo good to see you back online telling it how it is. It is absolutely astounding the wasted coaching experience out there in Australian Rugby and the provinces end up hiring P plate coaches like McKellar and Stiles from their car park. This restricts the options available for the Wallabies to replace Cheika who I believe should go after the RWC regardless of the result outcome. The Wallabies are looking for a scrum coach and they have yourself and Pato Noriega who could do the job. You would be aware that Knox, Phil Mooney (former Reds and Aus under age coach) and Brian Smith are coaching at schools where they only play a handful of competitive games a year. Campo now that he is back in Australia won't get a call either. Pat Howard was a highly rated coach at Leicester and his wasting his time with Cricket. With his qualifications the bloke doesn't need the big dollars the ACB are paying him.
Bakkies
Guest
You are describing yourself there.
Bakkies
Guest
'I think Bakkies puts it well when he says , presumably re Australian rugby,”The problem when they get to full pitch Rugby it is coached out of them.' It is not just an issue with Australian Rugby.
Bakkies
Guest
Structure is more of a risk as teams develop a reputation of be able to read and analyse. Offloading is not a risk when you passing to a player in a position to receive the pass. It is more about decision making.
JCMasher
Guest
Mate I’ve seen so many training runs where that seems to be all they do. It’s actually more about passion, intent and hard work than just passing
Steiner
Roar Pro
Interesting point bcc. Comes back to Sheek’s point about emphasise on structure.
Bfc
Guest
Got to agree with you...the Reds support play is symptomatic of a general malaise in Oz rugby. ...more is the pity...