mst
Peter Johnson (47)
And, unfortunately, the impact of a forwards dominated game plan doesn't end there. Too often, with the backline set, the play will be disrupted by a forward taking the ball at about the No 12 spot and just dying as soon as the defense is reached. Main culprits are Squeaky Moore and David Pocock.
This is the "structural" issue in the game plan that was identified and exploited in round 6 and yet to be corrected. IIRC the Chiefs identified that this produces a defensive weakness with forwards in the centre field and was targeted with great success by the likes of McKenzie counter attacking through the slow forwards in the centre channels.
It also allows opposing defences to target the following Brumbies habits:
- one up forwards - to slow the ball or compete at the breakdown
- our backs don't commit defenders as they don't go to the line and take contact most of the time so they the opposition don't have to commit resources
- reluctance to offload so defenders know that the ball will not be kept alive and can reset easily