There is no denying the fact that Kiwi Super Rugby teams are simply superior to their counter parts from other countries in the Super Rugby Competition.
We are seven weeks into the competition and of all the Kiwi teams in the Super Rugby competition they have only shared a total three losses to their international rivals. The question that has been on everyone’s mind is, how do you beat the Kiwi teams?
The answer could lie in what normally would be a very unlikely source, the Lions. The Lions are only one of three teams this season that have beaten Kiwi opposition. They grinded and pieced together a famous 36-32 victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton in round two.
I have never been one to rely on statistics to illustrate a picture, and I often find statistics can be quite misleading. However, there is sometimes an exception to the general rule and in this case the proof may just lie in the pudding.
The Lions were worthy victors and their game plan was simple. Control possession, be patient (no wasteful kicking) and execute the opportunities that are presented to you – often these opportunities are scarce against Kiwi opposition.
The Stats
Lions:
The Lions carried the ball 93 times for a total 435 metres and scoring four (4) tries for their hard work.
Chiefs:
The Chiefs only carried the ball for a sub-par 64 times, for a total of 361 metres. However, in true chiefs fashion, showing their lethal attacking masterclass also scored a total of four (4) tries.
Kicks in play:
The Chiefs are arguably the greatest counter-attacking team in the competition. They revere in the opportunity to counter-attack at the back with time, space and often an unstructured defensive line.
It still confuses me why teams, especially Australian teams play into the hands of a team like the Chiefs, and give them ample of opportunity to work their counter-attacking magic.
In the Lions match – the Lions kicked the ball in field only nine (9) times and were actually out kicked by the chiefs, who notched up twelve (12) in field kicks.
Note: The Western Force who went down to the chiefs 53 to 10 had a total of twenty five (25) in field kicks for the match.
The brumbies who also went down to the Chiefs 48 to13 had a total of thirteen (13) in field kicks for the match – go figure.
Possession:
The Lions were determined to control and dominate possession and the stats clearly reflected that. The possession count totalled 58% to the Lions and 42% to the Chiefs.
However, if you look into the particulars of these possession stats, something remarkable is exposed – My friends across the ditch are scratching their heads wondering why it’s taken us this long to catch on.
The majority of the Lions territory and possession was played in their own half. Out of the 58% of the possession 39.6% was played in their own half. If we prod a little further, out of that 39.6% of possession, 21.6% of that possession was played inside the Lions 22.
The Takeaways
So what does this all mean? It’s quite simple. If teams control possession, show patience with ball in hand, the rewards for points will be on offer. Secondly, teams like the chiefs are far less dangerous if teams deny them of counter-attacking opportunities – STOP the wasteful in field kicking!
The Chiefs have only had two games this season where they have carried the ball less than a 100 times. One of those games was against the Brumbies, and the Brumbies could be forgiven for their performance because everything the Chiefs touched turned into pure gold.
The Second game was against the Lions and this is the only loss they have suffered all season.
Does the proof to beating the Kiwi teams lie in these statistics? Or is there just no answer to New Zealand rugby supremacy?
