Force 13:49 Waratahs
It was enjoyable to see 7 tries scored – even if 6 of them were by the, hopefully resurgent, Waratahs – with some excellent running rugby on display.
The much heralded breakdown confrontation didn’t eventuate as it appeared that neither side wanted to play in its own territory. It was more of a kick-fest, with the Waratahs making 36 kicks from hand and Force 28.
The Waratahs led Possession (51%) and Territory (56%). Both teams missed about 20 tackles and conceded about the same number of penalties and turn overs. Handling errors were about the same. However, the Force was still plagued with handling errors and poor lineouts at critical stages during the match-up.
The Force had their lowest number of Total and Attack Ruck Involvements for any game so far this season. The Waratahs TRIs and ARIs were around their average.
Both teams were standing off many Defence Rucks. The Waratahs generally have around 20% fewer Defence Ruck Involvements (DRIs) per game than other Aussie teams. The Rebels, with its very active Back Row, average the most.
The Force earned 6 Turn Overs Won (TOW) from their 57 DRIs; the Waratahs 4 TOW from 54 DRIs.
Remember:
1. Early means 1st or 2nd of player’s team AFTER the ball carrier has been tackled and brought to ground.
2. Impact means active engagement: strong physical contact, changed shape of ruck, clean-out, protecting ball etc. (more than hand on someone’s bum or arriving after the hard work has been done). Yes it’s subjective – but as I collect all data at least it’s consistent.
3. Impact DOES NOT equate to Effectiveness. I’ve concluded that coming up with an effectiveness measure is just too hard in the time that I have available – but open to suggestions.
Ruck Involvements over time
Some impressive running support of the Waratahs ball carriers by their Forwards with tries being scored during periods of low involvement by their Force counterparts.
The Waratahs bench provided particularly strong support.
Leading Ruck Involvements
Once again the list is dominated by Back Rowers plus 2 Locks and only the single Prop.
Liam Gill appears to have sole-handedly led the Reds in their Defense Ruck efforts, in an attempt to disrupt the Stormers, but he was well supported by Ready, Tui and Neville (who don’t feature in this top list). Gill had the top tackle count and only multiple TOW (on this list).
The rest show that this week’s strategy was to stand-off defensive rucks.
I commented last week about the absence of Front Rowers in this listing. I reckon that this is a key aspect of the Wallabies struggles against the All Blacks.
Browning is the only No 8 who has got close to the work rate at rucks of Thomson.
Anthony Fianga’a was the only Back to match the efforts of these Forwards.
Best contributions by Backs from other teams were: Tamati Ellison – 17 Total (13 Attack/4 Defence); Ben Tapuai – 15T (12A/3D); Christian Lealiifano – 15T (13A/2D); Israel Folau – 14T (11A/3D)
Only 4 players on this list were in the 2015 RWC squad.
Ruck Involvements over time
TEAM COMPARISONS
Only the Rebels and Waratahs had wins in Round 9.
As the SR season unfolds a particular Aussie style for Ruck Involvements is starting to become apparent.
Some move outside this ‘norm’ is evident against particular opposition.
Possessions as follows: Rebels 61%; Force 49%; Waratahs 51%; Reds 50%; Brumbies 60%.
The Waratahs clearly showed strong support for their own ball carriers against the Force.
The Reds attempted to put pressure on the Stormers ball carriers.
The Brumbies were standing off Defence Rucks against the Crusaders. The Brumbies are clearly missing Pocock’s impact at the breakdown. Their 36 DRIs is the lowest level this year (and very close to their Round 4 losing effort against the Stormers).
The Rebels Back Row (McMahon, Thomson, Read & C Fianga’a) continues to set the standard for support of their ball carriers.
Impressive work rate and involvement from the Reds Backs particularly: A Fianga’a, Nabuli, Kerevi, Hunt and Laloifi.
The Rebels Locks continue to have little or nil (Jones and Jeffries) involvement in Defence Rucks.
Particularly low level of involvement by the Force Front Row (including replacements). Force’s other player groups more involved than the Waratahs. Strong efforts by Mafi, D Haylett-Petty and Tapuai. 4 of the team’s 6 TOW were by the Force Backs.
Reds Back Row had nearly 50% of the team total DRIs; with Gill making half of these.
Unusually low level of involvement by the Brumbies Locks. Solid contributions from the Brumbies Backs – especially Kuridrani and Cubelli.
Involvement does not always lead to effectiveness as shown by the Waratahs slightly higher success than the Force.
The Rebels and Blues have the SR highest average Ruck Success at 96%.
The Rebels (only 9 missed tackles) matched the Crusaders’ SR highest average Tackle Success.
The Force and Waratahs both missed about 20 tackles.
The Reds (28 missed tackles) were obviously under pressure by the Stormers.
The Brumbies (25 missed tackles) unusually poor outing – by their own standards.
Apart from the Rebels, the Aussie teams are in the lower half of the SR table for Tackle Success.
SR average is 17 Handling Errors per game and the ‘best’ teams are averaging 15.
As for many stats it’s not the number of HEs but more the where and when. HEs are a great way of killing momentum at critical stages of the match.
The Waratahs and Reds are both averaging 18 HEs per game.
The Highlanders and Cheetahs are averaging 19 HEs per game.
The Stormers, Lions, Blues and Sunwolves are averaging 15 HEs per game.
The Hurricanes, which had the worst game performance for HEs (31 against the Brumbies in Rnd 1), surprisingly also had the best game performance (7 against the Rebels).
Round 10
No local derby.
2 Home games against Sth African teams.
3 Away games (2 x NZ; 1 x SA).
So far only the Brumbies (Rnd 1 Hurricanes) and Reds (Rnd 7 – Highlanders) have had wins against teams in the top half of the combined SR Table.
