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Opinion
In the two most recent Bledisloe games, we saw the All Blacks starting two playmakers on the pitch.
They were Crusaders playmaker Richie Mo’unga and Blues star signing Beauden Barrett. But in this tale of double pivots there are many other players involved, as these two stars do more than just command.
The All Blacks have a different construction of the positioning of their pivots. While a hard-carrying team like the Springboks or England would position their playmakers on the same side of the pitch to spot for gaps as the scrumhalf runs phases and call big plays, the All Blacks take some alterations.
However, on certain occasions, especially off set-pieces, they use their pivots in a similar way to the Springboks and England.
This is a merely logical style of play. You bring your playmakers and your runners out to the side with space. You can run a lot of options.
Both Barrett and Clarke are out wide in space. Centres are in the middle with the flyhalf lining up primary options.
The first receiver duties belong mainly to Richie Mo’unga, allowing Barrett to be out wider with more space as a playmaker on the edge.
This same concept is used even when neither stand at first receiver.
Mo’unga stands at second receiver with the strong-passing Jack Goodhue taking the ball at first receiver.
Ripping an excellent pass to Barrett in space, he can make a major break by exploiting the narrow positioning of the Wallaby defenders. This is one example of using a different first receiver to bring a phenomenal running option in Barrett into space to rip apart the defence.
The special construction of their options is when the All Blacks have a ruck in the middle of the pitch.
Barrett is on the left, while Mo’unga is on the right.
The All Black attack on the right has organisation, and thus Aaron Smith plays it to Mo’unga to run a strike play. A line-break from Sam Cane and support from the two centres and George Bridge lined up outside them gets the ball down and away. The continuity of play sees Anton Lienert-Brown take it into the 22.
This construction with a playmaker on either side allows them to organise carrying options and more choices for the scrumhalf in attack, A world-class playmaker on either side of a ruck in the middle of the pitch is extremely effective. An attack can be run on one side before switching to the other.
When it comes to providing moments of magic, both have responsibility of putting in the passes and tactical kicks, opening the defence.
Here, Mo’unga spots how the Wallaby defence has shot up from a parallel line into a diagonal rush, and the space created. He rips a brilliant pass to Ardie Savea who rampages through defenders to score.
Then we see a lovely link between the two pivots for Richie Mo’unga’s second try.
It starts with Beauden Barrett’s chip as he takes the ball at first receiver. This allows the other pivot, Mo’unga, a fast and nippy player to get to the ball in the chase of Barrett’s chip and race away to score.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Mo’unga provides the dynamite for Jordie Barrett to score by selecting the runner in the space in between two defenders. This is reminiscent of Scottish maverick Finn Russell.
Mo’unga has a very good tactical kick. His cross-kicks are perhaps the best in the world, as he had opened the defence and got the All Blacks into position for the first try of Bledisloe 3 through them.
Through the unique dual pivot system, the All Blacks can positionally develop their other pieces. Currently, they can have two pace and power wings in Caleb Clarke and Jordie Barrett, and they have the pieces inside to unleash the wingers into space.
Meanwhile, both centres serve as carrying options with pace and agility, and Jack Goodhue can serve as a wide passing platform. Lienert-Brown has the pace and power to break through the line and excellent handling to hold the ball into continuity as well.
Aaron Smith is the best scrumhalf in the planet with his pace and lethal passing. He is a scrumhalf who runs a lot of heavy carry plays so the pivots can organise a strike play. He is a scrumhalf who also can create opportunities.
Also, some of their forwards are extremely good carrying options with decent pace and devastating power. Sam Whitelock has the big frame to carry the ball hard. Sam Cane has the loose dynamism into his running game. Ardie Savea is fast in the loose and extremely hard to stop in contact.
Recently, instead of using their playmakers to sling long passes and try to crack the defence each time, the All Blacks play short off their playmakers on most occasions, instead of always forcing strike plays to breach defences.
They learnt their lesson after the 2019 loss to the English that they had to play short and hit the line to thin the defence to ensure that strike plays will be effective as they can take apart a thinned defence.
The double pivot of Mo’unga and Barrett has been honed to perfection.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.