Ruck Involvements – Wallabies & All Blacks – Mid-2017

[ForceFan]

Some interesting observations from Ruck Data from the mid-2017 Test series.
The Battle of the Breakdown is morphing into something very different from even 12 months ago.

Much of this can be attributed to the rule changes around the breakdown. However, with the absence of genuine pilferers (Richie McCaw and David Pocock) we are now seeing very few clean Turn Overs Won.
There are still Forced Penalties from players not releasing the ball and there are still significant efforts to slow down or disrupt the oppositions ball at the ruck.

The Wallabies won 233/240 – 97% of their own rucks.
But their opposition won 251/256 – 98% of their rucks.
The All Blacks won 275/285 – 96%.
The Lions won 202/209 – 97%.
These numbers show an average 150 rucks per Test.

It is relevant to note that the Wallabies averaged 48% possession – the All Blacks 57%.

Unfortunately, Ruck Involvement data is not readily available so I have to collect them myself.

I reckon that Ruck Involvements is a good measure of work rate for a Forward.
Someone has to do the hard work at the breakdown and the 8 Forwards make 75% - 80% of the Ruck Involvements.
Add another 15-20 scrums (plus resets) and 20-25 lineouts per game then it’s easy to understand why some Front Rowers leave the ground totally spent after 50-60 minutes.
These numbers are “normalised” as an average per 80 minutes played.
These players represent the starting Forwards for both teams.
Some bench players show higher work rates – but that’s very easy if your normal game is only 20-30 minutes.

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.

Comments:

1. Tom Robertson is the most ruck active of the Wallabies Front Row.
2. The All Blacks Locks have 50% more ruck involvements than the Wallabies Locks and particularly active in ‘D’ Rucks.
3. Sam Cane, Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick the standouts for ruck involvements.
4. Fairly balanced ruck involvements by the Wallabies Back Row.
5. Of particular note is the spread of involvement in ‘D’ rucks by the All Black
6. Codie Taylor and Jerome Kaino tend to hang off rucks in attack unless needed.
7. Players from both sides have a focus on early arrival and impact when deciding to be involved in D rucks.

The table below is equivalent data for the Wallabies End of Year Tests 2016.

In these games, both the Wallabies and their oppositions won 96% of their own rucks.
Wallabies – 485 of 507 rucks; Opposition – 451 of 468 rucks.
The Wallabies averaged 50% Possession in these 5 Tests (Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland & England)
The current game plan has resulted in a significant reduction in ruck involvements.

 

[ForceFan]

Ruck Involvements by Main Playing Groups

Fairly even distribution between the ABs main player groups.
The ABs Tight 5 continue to out ruck their Wallabies counterparts.
Significant work load being undertaken by the Wallabies Back Row.

Similar distribution between main player groups in support of own ball carriers.
However, ABs Tight 5 very involved while ABs Backs left to be available to be the ball carriers.

The Wallabies Back Row does most of the work of placing pressure on the opposition ball.
The All Blacks’ Locks have almost 3 x the DRIs of the Wallabies’ Locks.
The ABs Backs 30% more DRIs than Wallabies Backs.

I’m interested to see which breakdown strategies unfold in Bledisloe 2017.


Numbers at the Breakdown


“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Similar distribution between main player groups in support of own ball carriers.
However, ABs Tight 5 very involved while ABs Backs left to be available to be the ball carriers.

The Wallabies stood off more ‘D’ rucks than the ABs.
The Wallabies averaged 0.4 players in support of the tackler/s.
The All Blacks averaged 0.5 players in support of the tackler/s.

I reckon we need to out-ruck the All Blacks not just attempt to gain parity.