Get your questions in for Issue 7 of Coach's Corner

Hi Nick, I’d like to get your analysis on Marika Koribete. Personally, I thought his first few years in rugby were very poor but has hit his straps in the last few. I have mixed feelings on on the way he plays. Love his work close to the ruck in attack, I dont think I have seen a much better pick and go merchant than him. But, he is a winger and really doesnt get over the line much or is that much of a threat in open space compared to others. I find his defense a bit wild as he rushes out and misses too much. Where does he fit in a team? A impact bench player might be best? Wouldnt mind any of Muirhead, Wright or Dangunu on the wings myself

or Q: Will the Tahs ever win a SR rugby game ever again?

I remember George Ford putting some massive spiral bombs onto fullback Anthony Watson in January. Put an end to any idea of Watson as a test fullback!

Is this a ball-player Q?

no, mut my partner does.

Hey Nicholas What do you think were the main aspects of the Highlanders game plan that allowed them to beat the Crusaders? One thing I noticed that the Crusaders tried to play a lot of ad lib rugby when chasing the game and the pressure forced them into a few basic skill errors they would not normally make.

Nick, A few observations with the 2021 Waratahs roster (that I believe are accurate, but I'm happy to be corrected) 1. They're young and inexperienced, more or less across the park. 2. Despite some big losses, there has actually been some good footie and intent in there in each game, and there has been gradual improvement each game so far, despite each loss and the scoreboard result. 3. After losing Jake Gordon (c) before 1/2 time in their first game, their biggest impediment to performing at SR standard was the absence of senior leadership on the field. Not their fault, but they played like rabbits in the headlights in the first 6 rounds until Gordon was back in round 7. 4. The absence of senior leaders and their own SR inexperience on the field quickly became strong mental duress during each game, which frequently resulted in "if it could go wrong, it did; and with scoreboard consequences". 5. Building on point 4, the perception of the caliber of footie they were playing was much worse than reality. (This of course was used as justification by the Board to sack Penney) 6. I reckon if the Tahs retained Karmichael Hunt, they would have traveled significantly better in each game than they did, and consequently, the 'perception of how bad they are" would have been less and therefore the Board would not have reacted by sacking Penney. If you are of the view that the above 6 points have enough merit and strength as a case, then.... Q: Are you seeing this squad as NRC standard (or maybe less?) or are they currently a bare bones SR standard that need a shyteload of further development and experience and there is or is not a reasonable probability that they will in 2-3 years become a strong competitive SR side?

Same question(s) here :thumbup:

Do you ride a motorbike, it’s always a point of conjecture amongst riders.

Maybe too much gym work KiwiB to deal with the fitness and strength requirements and too much touch rugby? Do you guys play any kick to kick? In AFL dominated states everyone and their dog kicks a footy to each other. Strangers welcome to join. I suspect you guys play kickless touch instead.

Sooo much debate over Gatlands selections for the Lions tour.. None more so than that of the selection of Duhan Van der Merwe on the wing…..This years 6 Nations , Most tries scored, most first time tackles broken , most meters made all players but the overwhelming consensus is that he can’t defend.. So my question Nick….. Perception or reality?

And additionally/alternatively, how will the NZ teams need to change for the Aus teams?

That's really only about scrummaging which is one aspect of prop play.

Hey Nic, loving these and thanks for doing it. With the likelihood of the Trans Tasman comp opening up, do you think that any of the Australian teams will need to change their game plan for NZ? Cheers

@Nick I add to Numpty's question about F McReight. Now I know you're a big Hooper fan - and I think you over-rate him myself but I've been watching him in Japan. He's going ok. On 2021 form I think McReight is now a better no 7 than Hooper and should be selected in the WB run-on team. Hooper on bench. That also allows selection of a much better WB captain than Hopper. I select JoC as new WB captain and Alan AA as VC. WBs will then win more games by kicking penalty goals when required. What's you opinion Nick - does McReight now deserve selction as the WB run-on no 7.

Players infront of the ball feature quite a lot in the modern game. Can you show some examples of where it is done well, done poorly, done legally and where someone has got away it?

"Would also like an analysis of the modern role/expectations of a prop." Good question, BS. Possibly a full article really to answer that one. Something akin to Harry Jones excellent series on the locks.

Ronan O'Gara currently is chief coach at La Rochelle. With high coaching ambitions after an outstanding playing career which saw him win 128 Irish caps, and tour 3 times with the British and Irish Lions, O'Gara has coached at Racing 92, and was an assistant coach with the Canterbury Crusaders prior to taking the reins at Stade Rochelais. The Question : Where will Ronan O'Gara's current trajectory take him to when the 2027 RWC comes around ?

Nicks already touched on this debate Bobby https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/09/02/the-great-tighthead-prop-debate-part-2-triple-a-versus-tongan-thor/ https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/11/11/how-the-bench-warmed-australian-hearts-in-brisbane/

Hi Nick Two from me - thanks in advance for your consideration :happy: 1. Would love an analysis of the outside-in defence. Are m/any pro teams using it anymore, either as their default or in specific situations? It seems to me to be a better option than the slide wherever the defence can get set in time, especially from 10-15m outwards from the ruck/scrum/LO. Positives include that it negates speed deficits, regularly puts the defender in the receiver's blind spot, and encourages attackers to step back into traffic for easier tackles/turnovers (rather than using the width). Am guessing its not as practical where slow forwards are mixed in with backs out wide, but is there something else preventing its wider use (especially at set piece)? Or am I just not noticing it happening? 2. Would also like an analysis of the modern role/expectations of a prop. I note TT has a lot of focus now for his powerful set piece and running, but wonder how his game (or Sio and Slipper etc.) compares overall to less fancied players such as HJH (in particular)? I tend to find myself watching Harry more than others (due to the Newcastle connection), and he seems to do a huge amount of work in both attack and defence, much more so than other props like TT. Would be great to see the stats/assessment of key metrics - runs/metres gained, positive ruck involvements, off-the ball work, tackles attempted/made etc. My impression is that HJH is well in front overall, but TT has more of the 'big plays', which can be just as (or even more) valuable from a team morale and spectator excitement point of view. Thanks again