Ruck Involvements - Pumas v Wallabies - London
This Test (P21:33W) was almost the repeat of the Perth Test (P20:36W) with the Wallabies earning the win in both with only ~34% Possession and Territory.
In assessing the Ruck Involvement Stats many considered the Perth Test as a bit of an anomaly.
However, the London Test had >20% fewer Ruck Involvements.
Both teams were standing off Defence Rucks - Wallabies 50% & Pumas 40%.
The average number of players involved at the breakdown were quite low:
Wallabies - Attack 2.2/Defence 0.5; Pumas - Attack 2.3/Defence 0.6.
The SR2016 averages for Aussie teams: Attack 2.4-2.7 and Defence 0.7-0.8.
Not surprisingly the TOW were quite low: Wallabies 4; Pumas 3.
The Pumas won 97% (99/102) of their rucks; the Wallabies 90% (36/40).
Both teams attempted to Off Load in contact: Pumas 16; Wallabies 7.
Both teams had few kicks from hand: Pumas 15; Wallabies 12 (Total 27).
The Wallabies missed 29 tackles - tackling effectiveness 75% (85/114).
The Pumas missed 16 tackles - tackling efficiency 67% (33/49)
Obviously this game plan has been effective against the Pumas.
I doubt that that we'll see it utilised against the ABs in Auckland.
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.
- The Pumas main focus was supporting their own ball carriers.
- 50% of their Defense Ruck Involvements were from single player involvements.
- Main involvements from Creevy, Desio and Leguizamon. None earned a TOW.
- Hooper, Timani and Fardy had more than 50% of the Wallabies DRIs. Hooper earned 1TOW.
- I don't recall another game where the Wallabies Front Row (starters and bench) had so little involvement at the breakdown.
Ruck Involvements over Time
- The Wallabies started the 2nd half with a 10 point lead but struggled to put the Pumas away.
- The Wallabies struggled with the Pumas off load game.
- The Pumas worked hard to get within 3 points at 45 min and remained withing a converted try until Mumm's try at 77 minutes.
- Strong last-20-minutes rucking efforts by Hooper and Timani and bench players Fardy, Douglas, Robertson and Ala'alatoa in the last 20 minutes helped gain the win.
Some more data in post below.