It would be easy to focus on the Queensland Reds’ expansive gameplan and herald the razzle dazzle of the outside backs, but there is much more to this Reds team’s trajectory.
In round one of Super Rugby Pacific 2024, the Waratahs lumbered north in a hope to right the wrongs of the trial game against the Reds two weeks prior. Instead, they were thumped by an even more physical, well-drilled and fluid Reds side.
What made the Reds tick was not only Hunter Paisami smashing and bashing in centre field or the scything Josh Flook, but also the team’s connection at the breakdown.
The cohesion from 1-8 in the Reds pack meant the Tahs were blown off the park.
The connection at the attacking breakdown was impressive, like clockwork, the man on the inside of the ball carrier cleared the ruck giving the backs a clean and quick platform.
This basic of rucking kept the pilfer threats of Charlie Gamble and Jed Holloway well clear of the ruck and meant five-eighth Tom Lynagh had front-foot ball with plenty of time to direct his team around.
It may seem curious to home in on a ruck basic such as this, but its failure is what undid the Western Force against the Hurricanes, who are the Reds’ opponents on Sunday afternoon.
The Hurricanes had free rein at ruck time because the Force cleaner was coming from the outside.
This made for inaccurate cleans which led to slower ball, thereby allowing the Canes’ defence to set.
The below clip shows the Force cleaners not only coming from the outside-in, but also having to work much harder to complete an effective clean.
It also looks like some of the backs were caught napping when it was up to them to clean.
This basic pod structure is as much about systems as it is about the halfbacks’ runner selection.
The impact this structure has on both the attack and defence compared to if the outside man cleans is both stark and great.
Having the inside man cleaning means, the defenders must work harder to come through the gate if they are to contest.
This is because neither team wants to be caught short with players in case the ball goes the same way in the next phase.
Secondly, if a defender on the outside was to contest, they would’ve sacrificed a pillar position, or a ‘10’ defender, leaving them vulnerable to a Tate McDermott to dart around the rucks.
The result of the Reds’ system is better ball presentation, which should allow for quicker distribution.
The speed of the ruck produced by this clean-out structure is dependent on two key factors, the effectiveness (technique) of the clean and the safety (the outside man in the pod of three) as well as their timing.
The first factor the Reds nailed, the latter was not quite as sharp and against a team like the Canes will be exploited.
If you look back at the Reds clip you can see that a genuine on-baller would have had opportunities to pilfer at times during that video.
Coach Les Kiss wants his side to continue to improve their breakdown work. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The Reds are perhaps fortunate that the Canes are without their best on-baller and ruck pest in Du Plessis Kirifi due to an ankle injury he picked up against the Force.
However, the Canes have plenty of on-ball threats across the park, winning six turnovers against the Force, therefore better timing at the ruck is vital.
The Canes are currently a better side than the Waratahs who the Reds dominated in almost every facet of the game; this won’t be the case on Sunday.
It’s no small wonder why Lynagh spoke of the side’s desire to continue to improve their breakdown work earlier in the week.
“One thing that came from [our first-up match] was our breakdown work,” he said.
“The rest was pretty good, but we need to fix up our breakdown to secure our ball so we can attack off that.”
Staying disciplined and in system when the pressure comes on is the next test for this Reds side.
If the Reds are to continue their trajectory, they must continue to improve on their ruck security and speed.
The Reds must also apply some pressure on defensive rucks, after only securing three turnovers against the Tahs.
The Queenslanders had 92 per cent ruck success and tackled at 91 per cent and will have opportunities to exert ruck pressure on the Canes.
This must occur, because the Reds can’t afford to give a Canes team, who beat 40 Force defenders and managed eight clean breaks, quick ball.
The Reds have far too much talent in their backline to have a stuttering ruck or set piece take the wind out of their sails.
Their game will be the last game of Super Round in Melbourne and it looks like it will be a belter.
If Kiss and his team have improved the timing of their clean-out and safety, they will be in with a chance against a Hurricanes team that defied expectations by wiping the floor with an underwhelming albeit injury-plagued Force side.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Nailed it.
John Ferguson
Expert
It's been an area they have been traditionally poor and the changes in tack saw a marked improvement at the weekend. It's also one of the things Which Australian teams as a whole have been poor at. If they want to improve their fortunes they must improve. And they were both in their 90s, so both did well. But there structure has flow on effects to other stats.
John Ferguson
Expert
If you look back at the Wallabies games last year, Porecki was regularly caught at the back of the maul which then resulted in a scrum turnover, that never occurred with Faessler, he was smart about his positioning and when to break off. That is what is meant by that comment :thumbup:
Cam
Roar Rookie
I coached park rugby for quite a few seasons and employed a very similar structure in my last couple of years as coach. It was bastardised from 7's rugby and the concept was to speed up the ruck, which in turn disrupts the defensive line. We trained twice a week with much of our limited time focused on different drills developing cleanout connection, presentation of the ball by the tackled player and quick shape reload for the next phase. It became the identity of our team. We enjoyed two undefeated seasons and had a crazy-good for and against over those last two years of 40-4. The by-product of speeding up the ruck was a style of rugby which was was very easy on the eye, and that was the take-away from last weeks Red's game. That said, SR teams are all elite-fit professionals who are able to reset defensive lines far quicker and consistently, so it will be interesting to see if they are able to crack open the Hurricanes with the same structure.
Ray
Roar Rookie
John The hooker normally has very little to do with the maul setup, he tags on and often is simply the beneficiary by scoring in the end. Maybe the reds were doing something different, but maul success is normally generated by the two second rowers and the props. Better to acclaim those that establish the conditions for the try, than the try scorer.
Dualcode
Roar Rookie
Indeed, the Hurricanes are definitely the litmus test on the Reds breakdown success rate and how they'll perform on the nitty gritty stuff.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
There was pain but a pleasure all the same.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Why did Oz lose to Fiji and Wales, because both teams either won penalties or gained turnover at the breakdown and the penalties put them in position to win. When as the last time you saw Oz have a dominating performance at the ruck. Even the Italy game under Rennie Italy got into the position they did because of the breakdown. OZ teams have been losing in SR for years because of the breakdown (apart from Brumbies), Eddie may have been at the WC but as Tahs showed last weekend how inept some Oz players and teams are at the breakdown. Its why NZ players were able to tighten up their breakdown for Ireland but Oz couldn’t do it for Wales game because their players aren’t doing it week in week out. The fact it has been happening nearly every game for the last 10 years says its not a blind ref but players thinking there are different rules/laws/interpretation.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Its how the rules are worded. The attacker is "looking" to be passed the ball but the person with the ball does not have to pass it to them. I am not sure how you bring in a rule or interpretation that can stop it. When you have teams kicking so much it is nice to see a team hold the ball.
Francisco Roldan
Roar Rookie
Excellent read, John...! The value of placing an extra man in the attacking ruck configuration is notable. It will reflect better chances of breaching the line beyond the second phase, if the defense takes the risk of allocating an additional man to contest that ruck. Greetings
Bodger
Roar Rookie
I watch the Irish and not sure how they get away with it. They'll even have runners run through and stop in the opposition defensive line. All sides do it to some extent but the Irish have taken it to another level. Their ball retention and minutes with the ball have gone up again this 6 nations and the tackles made gone down. It has a lot to do with preventing sides competing for the ball rather than a contest for the ball.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
I think McReight is still to light, not strong over the ball when cleaned out. But he is superb at the quick steal when he gets in early, just seems to have a great technique. But that is often only once in agame. So agree fully, "Not a great stat for the heir apparent to the Australian number 7 jersey."
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
I knew you would, Jacko :happy:
Guess
Roar Rookie
Speak for yourself. I saw blind ref and crazy coach
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
I was thinking the same thing.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I think that is the big key, nearly every game they will score atleast one try because they defense don't worry about the first man and the passer spots its and the first player is not expecting the ball but is ready to catch it if thrown.
woodart
Roar Rookie
yes,canes will be hungry for a few early wins because the chiefs,crusader and blues are coming. and all kiwi derbies are bashups.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
They learned it off the SH teams. I have seen videos where they will show how 2-3 irish forwards are holding in nearly the whole opposition pack as they pile the opposition on top of each other and use knees and bodies and hands to keep them their while their players gets back in line.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Got to look for a replay - retired, so much time and so little time; bloody India vs Eng to blame - a whole heap of very skillful Indian Test cricketers comining thru
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I think that instead of one player it is now most of the pack and atleast one of the centres.