The Roar
The Roar

Conor Wilson

Roar Pro

Joined September 2016

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Once upon a time I was Jonny Wilkinson knocking over the Drop goal in 2003. Then I woke up. Its all been downhill from there. Rod Macqueen, Joe Schmidt and Will Greenwood are my heroes. And my proudest moment was putting Jason Robinson in for a try at a Promotional Rugby day. It was truly Beautiful. Writer for the 1014 Rugby, and rare steak enthusiast.

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Thanks very much bro. Glad you get something from them! 🙂

How to target the All Blacks, Part 3: The 20-metre blind

Agreed on the Bok front mate. They can bring a level of physicality at their best that I only think England can just about match at peak.

Shag says he’s preparing the Abs to play a new different more physical style of Rugby, and he’s a very smart man. So expecting some new stuff coming to the fore soon.

How to target the All Blacks, Part 3: The 20-metre blind

Wouldn’t say near Nicks level mate. But thanks very much! Glad you liked it!

How to target the All Blacks, Part 3: The 20-metre blind

Much appreciated mate 🙂 I fully agree. My Rugby is heavily influenced by Sun Tzu and thinking outside of the box. So the fact that said coaches are willing to go this way to win is making me incredibly happy. And hopeful other nations might have a shot this year!

How to target the All Blacks, Part 3: The 20-metre blind

Fighting talk Tayman! ???? Though in fairness if you get it you will definitely have deserved it. Some strong challenges coming to the fore this year and the most open it’s been in years. Exciting stuff!

How to target the All Blacks, Part 3: The 20-metre blind

Cheers JD!

I actually was annoyed about that Stockdale try. I included such a move in Article 5 of the All Blacks series that I finished May last year, where I said such a move could really hurt the All Blacks on 1st phase and showed the Italian version against France from the 2018 6N. But it wasn’t released in time. I’m getting the rest of the series out before the Rugby Championship though!

Agreed that moves will be developed for it. Schmidts in particular will be intriguing!

How to target the All Blacks, Part 3: The 20-metre blind

Bloody hope so! I want to see a contest!

I think the Crusaders have added an element of ball watching into their defensive play, so opportunities may arise from the 13 taking a hard out to in line inside Goodhue of a short pass from 10/12. As long as the midfield is held and the IC Plays flat so Goodhues head is turned in, that could work.

Why things fell apart for the Brumbies in Buenos Aires

Agreed. Whilst it could’ve worked, clearly Petti’s placement was inspired. So much so that as you said, the Brumbies changed to the front but in doing so lost a lot of the potency from this option.

And If an enemy has to react to you, you’re in a position of strength. Good Analysis done on the Brumby LO clearly from the Jaguares coaching staff.

Why things fell apart for the Brumbies in Buenos Aires

Nicely done Nick! Love the usage of Sun Tzu as well. I follow the principles of that man throughout life as well as rugby, so this definitely resonates!

Why do you originally think the Brumbies were so keen to go to the back of the line-out for so long? Do you think they were trying tie up the tail-gunners and therefore isolate the 9-10 to some crash balls with quick ball?

The Jaguares back row look pretty impressive, so it makes sense the Brums want them out of the game on first phase to prevent the jackalling threats and assistance they could provide around the 10 channel.

Why things fell apart for the Brumbies in Buenos Aires

No worries at all Nick. thats a far more relevant debating point currently. Freedom of speech or not, I feel Folau’s comments aren’t in the spirit of Rugby in any way shape or form. So its important a debate is had on it!

I also agree entirely. The blindside attack with two options either side of the ruck saw quite a bit of use with the Ford Farrell axis, 21 or 31 pattern format. I suppose Daly now has taken over that role, though Sladey could step in i imagine.

I didn’t actually clock that the first receiver being a forward was taken from Coles’ in all honesty! Though the man is so skilled as a player it doesn’t surprised me in the slightest. It looks like another influence from the All Blacks, as the 2nd receiver behind the 3 Pod taking the ball to the line seems to have been copied directly from them. Cipriani does this week in, week out for Gloucester. Do you have any enlightenment on what he could bring to the side? Recently he has been playing some beautiful, smart and intelligent rugby, with the occasional razzle dazzle moments of before. Do you think he has a place in the WC squad or should?

I feel/hope that England are varying and developing plays for use close to the fringes of the ruck, and i did like the variation in the forward pod running lines. Which i feel is a definite change since last year (Though i will gladly admit if i’m wrong). I’d say its certainly opening the England team to new ideas, which i’m a big fan off. As thats not something we’re renowned at!

I think that the screen runner tactics have been brought to the forefront by Wisemantel, as Mako and Kyle taking the same lines behind Faz definitely shows a focus on. Wisey does seem a league man to a certain degree and some of the things England have done would fit the bill! Though I will be honest, I saw the same move used between Ford and Brookes against Wales in 2015 a phase before Attwoods disallowed try. Was that something Stuart championed at all? I read he was a big fan of League as well.

England's World Cup attack: All Black and Wallaby influences

Thank you very much Peter! 🙂

England's World Cup attack: All Black and Wallaby influences

Thank you very much Nick! 🙂

The New England way: The John Mitchell defence

No worries Muzzo. That i believe was an error by the editors in publishing. I only mentioned Savea in my manuscript. Hence why the Gifs also don’t show as they should unfortunately, but appreciate the comment regardless.

I think a healthy Australian influence has always paired well with English Sport. We had Clive bringing over the flat Australian attack to England whilst he played for Manly, Shane Sutton, who in cycling has made Britain the undeniable best in the world, and Eddie, now with England also.

Maybe its the cultural element, but the pairing does seem to work.

The New England way: The John Mitchell defence

Brilliant article as Always Nick!

I think i can safely say Mark Wilson has been an absolute revelation, and is a classic case of playing himself right into the starting 15. Just the amount of effective work and smart timing of effort he has is absolutely out of this world. Brilliant find for us.

In regards to obstruction lines, this is becoming more and more prevalent in teams out there such as Ireland and the All Blacks and nearly any coach worth their salt.

Do you reckon the fact that this is becoming so common is allowing leniency on Refereeing terms for the teams to just play on, as a now accepted but unavoidable part of the game?

Will England rule the world in 2019?

What happens when one of my favourite writers writes an article about one of my favourite teams and coach taking part in one of my favourite series of all time?

I’m a damn happy man!

Amazing work mate. Inspired.

Sliding doors: Wallaby lessons from the 2001 Lions tour

It was. I don’t think i’ve ever seen such a desperate determination in a defensive effort before.

Who were your standout performers? I thought O’Mahony was absolutely immense. As was Ryan.

Leinster academy is doing something right clearly! If players like him are in the production line.

How Ireland won the battle of the big men in Dublin

Brilliant article as always Nick, Thought Andy Farrells defence was an absolute masterclass against the AB’s.

They changed the way they defended against the AB’s compared to how they did against England, France and others! The Rush was constricted but absolutely brutal. Do you think they’ll vary back in the 6N?

How Ireland won the battle of the big men in Dublin

The great coaches and teams always push to the limits of legality I suppose. Definitely was a theme in the Rod Macqueen years. Same for Schmidt it seems!

Targeting the All Blacks, Part 2: The shoot-drift gap

They do. Though I will say England And Ireland are catching up in that department.

Targeting the All Blacks, Part 2: The shoot-drift gap

Cheers mate! I’m not sure to be honest. I can’t visualise that, is it a kick chase in the triangular formation you see below you mean?

Targeting the All Blacks, Part 2: The shoot-drift gap

Thanks Hoorse, appreciate It! It’s becoming a little more widespread now. So wouldn’t be surprised if Hansen and Macloud had a plan to switch it up for the WC.

Targeting the All Blacks, Part 2: The shoot-drift gap

Thank you very much mate! You’re right I have done. But both sites are full of great rugby people. So seems harsh to not include all in the debate.

Targeting the All Blacks, Part 2: The shoot-drift gap

Schmidt is a master of obstruction in his plays. Especially his Looper plays to a near fanatical level.

But. Macqueen was as well. And the guys my hero so. Can’t really complain here!

Targeting the All Blacks, Part 2: The shoot-drift gap

Thanks Keil, and it would. But that’s dependent on Aaron Smith getting out of the ruck for the next phase. As can be seen here with quick ball in particular. That’s pretty hard to do. Also off play off 10. The ball travels far and fast enough from the previous ruck that the players don’t have the time to get there to form said diamond. Pretty good observation though.

Targeting the All Blacks, Part 2: The shoot-drift gap

Thanks Sinclair. Appreciate it mate!

Targeting the All Blacks, Part 2: The shoot-drift gap

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