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Joined April 2023
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Sam is an analyst and journalist who has been working with clubs and writing about rugby for the past ten years. He is passionate about explaining the game in an easy to understand way to cut through complexity and help others fall in love with the game, the way he has.
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Say it quietly, but there was enough in that first half performance against New Zealand which suggested everything Eddie Jones has been speaking about…
Somewhere along the line, Pool C of the 2023 Rugby World Cup has turned into the pool of death. Not because it’s filled with…
It wasn’t that long ago that the All Blacks appeared to be a waning force. They had been at the top since, well, forever…
Eddie Jones’ second coming with Australia has started almost as poorly as it could have. Australia were destroyed by a South African side featuring…
Eddie Jones’ first squad includes incredibly experienced players like James Slipper (127 caps) and Michael Hooper (124), but you know all about them. So,…
We advance to the Super Rugby semi-finals and the Brumbies remain as Australia’s sole representative. It’s been a hit and miss season for the…
The Brumbies are the best team in Australia, and they have a chance to make the Super Rugby semi-finals this weekend but to do…
It looks almost certain that Nic White will be included in Eddie Jones’ Test squad. He has been ever present since 2019 and was…
Eddie Jones’ debut with Australia is coming up. His first game in charge will be on July 8 against South Africa in Pretoria. We…
The last time the Queensland Reds won in New Zealand, Quade Cooper scored 16 points, Bundee Aki and Gareth Anscombe were Chiefs, and Steve…
Like pretty much every other position in the Australian squad, fullback remains open. In the five recent Australian matches, four fullbacks were used. Tom…
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article talking about how Eddie Jones might find success with Will Skelton in the backrow. Understandably, most…
Carter Gordon has been the most exciting flyhalf talent among the Australian teams so far this season and rightly finds himself in Eddie Jones’…
There were rumours that Brad Thorn wouldn’t make it past the bye week if the Reds lost in Samoa. The victory, their third of…
Jordan Petaia has been consistent. In 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022 he scored two tries per Super Rugby season. In 2023 he has broken…
A lot has been written about Eddie Jones’ appointment as coach of Australia since it was announced in January. However, we haven’t yet had…
It does. Win/loss is massively influenced by luck. Newcastle Falcons back in I think 2016-17 season lost basically all of games they lost by a massive margin and won others by a narrow margin. That was enough to get them into the play-offs where they were well beaten. They deserve credit for winning games and that’s why they made the play-offs but they were obviously a lucky team. The next season they got relegated.
Just looking at win/loss hides more fundamental issues with teams that luck is concealing.
Lastly, I do say it suggests the Force are the better team. You’re welcome to measure ‘better’ how you wish. For me, it’s not just down to wins and losses.
Super Rugby Report card and 2024 predictions: How the Aussie teams fared and what the future holds
They didn’t ‘skew’ the for and against – they ‘were’ the for and against. I’m happy not to count the blowouts if we don’t count the wins either!
Super Rugby Report card and 2024 predictions: How the Aussie teams fared and what the future holds
It links pretty well to a team’s finishing position. It’s also reflective of a team’s ability. If you have a blowout loss, or win, that does say something about your ability.
Super Rugby Report card and 2024 predictions: How the Aussie teams fared and what the future holds
They had a right to it in that they gave away the penalty, but most attacks in that part of the pitch won’t reach the 22.
The Brumbies are higher in the league….I don’t think that’s a controversial statement.
ANALYSIS: The 'mindless' tactic Brumbies must ditch to beat Hurricanes in a quarterfinal clash of styles
Absolutely Greg! Basically, if you look at penalties conceded and overlay team success, there’s no correlation between the two. One of the reasons why it’s not that important is because there’s not a big difference between teams across the league. For example, the best and worst teams in Super Rugby only have a gap of 36 penalties conceded across the entire competition. The Blues concede the third most penalties but are third in the league, just as an anecdote.
However, it does make sense if you dig in a bit further to the logic. If you’re attacking my line and I concede a penalty (and it doesn’t lead to a penalty try or sin bin) what have I actually lost? I’ve given you either an attacking platform, which doesn’t give you massively more chance of success than what you had already. Or you kick the 3pts and I don’t feel too bad about that.
Equally, if you’re in your own 22 with the ball and I give away a penalty then what does that give you? It gives you a free exit but you’re likely to just kick it back to me from the lineout. The killers are the pens between the 22s which provide a free 22 entry when you probably wouldn’t have received one otherwise.
ANALYSIS: The 'mindless' tactic Brumbies must ditch to beat Hurricanes in a quarterfinal clash of styles
It’s fascinating! They’re very unusually, globally, in how they play. Lots of teams play low-possession but very few do it without kicking the ball away. It’s very unusual. Should be a hell of a match-up.
ANALYSIS: The 'mindless' tactic Brumbies must ditch to beat Hurricanes in a quarterfinal clash of styles
I’m generally in favour of that approach. Hard to be out of the game when you’re keeping adding 3pts all the time.
ANALYSIS: The 'mindless' tactic Brumbies must ditch to beat Hurricanes in a quarterfinal clash of styles
I think one of the issues with White is that he’s barely kicked at all since the 2013/14 season. Not to say he can’t, but he’d be a high risk person to lean on as a kicker.
ANALYSIS: The four types of No.9s and how Eddie's tactics will determine Nic White's World Cup partner
Thanks Dusty! Low possession rugby has proven to be really effective unfortunately (fortunately) depending on your view point. Leicester Tigers won the English Prem with no ball at all. In fact, they beat Exeter when making 134 more tackles. If you have possession outside the opp 22 then it’s not always a positive.
ANALYSIS: The three tactical paths open to Eddie at the RWC - and the one that suits his cattle best
Teams will play what’s in front of them, but you need some structure otherwise it’ll all fall flat. Even the most conservative teams will still go for it from their own 22 if the opportunity is really obvious.
ANALYSIS: The three tactical paths open to Eddie at the RWC - and the one that suits his cattle best
Yeah as Hika says – their approach minimised turnovers which stripped the Chiefs of a key attacking weapon they have used this year.
ANALYSIS: The tactical masterclass that saw Thorn flip the script - and showed how teams can stop Chiefs
They had won ten on the trot….which I’d suggest justifies them being called very strong.
ANALYSIS: The tactical masterclass that saw Thorn flip the script - and showed how teams can stop Chiefs
57/43 is a significant possession split anyway but especially when you consider that ball in play was so high. In rugby, you rarely see possession splits of greater than 60%.
ANALYSIS: The tactical masterclass that saw Thorn flip the script - and showed how teams can stop Chiefs
It’s not revolutionary I agree, lots of teams use it. But it’s not the only way to win a rugby game and varying your approach to target your opponent is positive.
ANALYSIS: The tactical masterclass that saw Thorn flip the script - and showed how teams can stop Chiefs
Campbell was one of three in this article. I don’t remember any articles where I’ve specifically called for Wilson or Tate to be included or excluded. It’s possible you’re mixing me up with another fine writer on this site!
I don’t have an Australian club side – I just write it as I see it and as the stats suggest!
ANALYSIS: Eddie's spoiled for choice with three distinct options at No. 15 - which way should he go?
Great point! I tried to mention this in the article without going overboard, but fullback nowadays is basically used like a utility knife. You put whatever type of player you need in there to fit the thing you’re missing in the rest of your team.
Definitely an article in there though!
ANALYSIS: Eddie's spoiled for choice with three distinct options at No. 15 - which way should he go?
Four years ago NZ went almost the whole World Cup with Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett at 10 and 15. A quarter of the total games Barrett has played at fullback came in the World Cup and the World Cup warm-up games. Mckenzie played three times as a fly-half in his first season then moved there basically full time in his fourth season for club while still being selected at fullback for NZ. Jordie Barrett has featured plenty at centre. Will Jordan I don’t think has ever played fullback for NZ has he?
ANALYSIS: Eddie's spoiled for choice with three distinct options at No. 15 - which way should he go?
Obviously I hate to get in the way of a good conspiracy theory and I’m more than happy for Rocky to disparage my writing! Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
But I regret to say I am Welsh. I’m told Queensland is lovely – but I’ve never been.
ANALYSIS: Eddie's spoiled for choice with three distinct options at No. 15 - which way should he go?
That’s only true if he is your 2nd best jumper. Wales for example have Tipuric, number seven, as their best lineout option. It just depends if there are enough other options in the team EJ selects.
ANALYSIS: The attribute that makes Will Skelton world class, and why he should start for Wallabies at RWC
I was meaning more like that. He’s not a power carrier but he’s very impressive. Perhaps in the mould of a Tipuric who uses agility not power to be successful.
ANALYSIS: The attribute that makes Will Skelton world class, and why he should start for Wallabies at RWC
Thanks Jeznez! I’m still not fully retracting my back row idea…I think it has some merit. But I think EJ plays him in the second row.
ANALYSIS: The attribute that makes Will Skelton world class, and why he should start for Wallabies at RWC
If he was rubbish then Saracens and La Rochelle wouldn’t have spent a huge amount of money on him. He’s been the second row rock in teams which have won leagues and European cups. I accept you might not rate him over other players, but the idea that he’s bad or even average just doesn’t stack up.
ANALYSIS: The attribute that makes Will Skelton world class, and why he should start for Wallabies at RWC
Agree, he can jump. It’s just not a skill really. Question is whether you want him as one of your options or a once or twice a world cup novelty.
ANALYSIS: The attribute that makes Will Skelton world class, and why he should start for Wallabies at RWC
England are a good example of where this can work though. Billy Vunipola, and now Dombrandt, aren’t really lineout options. I appreciate they play a different role, but you can still get your three/four lineout options without using ‘typical’ lineout options. Skelton can be used in a lineout as a fourth option as well – he’s just not very good at it…
ANALYSIS: The attribute that makes Will Skelton world class, and why he should start for Wallabies at RWC
France kick a lot though. In the Six Nations they tackled as much as they carried – Italy, Ireland, and Scotland all had more possession. But France kick well and in an exciting way.
ANALYSIS: 'If Eddie persists with his game plan and it fails the damage to Australian rugby could be significant'