If you’re a regular reader of G&GR, then you just my have seen me comment on the Wallabies’ poor support play over recent years.

The key to support play is simple – you do whatever the ball carrier wants you to do, and by doing so leave all options open to him. In this way, support play is a lot like being a parent; you need to be on hand when and how needed, but not to interfere!

Last weekend Leinster travelled to Northampton in the Heineken Cup, a place where the home side had only lost twice in the past eight seasons. The Irish visitors ran out winners by 7-40! In this remarkable display, Ireland winger Luke Fitzgerald scored a hat-trick, of which his third try was an excellent example of support play.

Notice how Fitzgerald stays far enough inside and behind the ball carrier to allow Kirchner to play the ball as he pleases – in this case a pop from the ground. I quite like coaching support play because the only thing I ever have to say was ‘slow down’.

Almost as impressive as Fitzgerald’s support play was Stuart Barnes’ description and analysis of it as a commentator. Enjoy from 10:28 in the video below.

Just by the way –  the Leinster ‘B’ team played the Ospreys in the RaboDirect Pro12 and still won. As a team they showed great passing and support skills – probably the poorest in the team was one Lote Tuqiri. I’d thought Joe Schmidt had done a great job with Leinster, but Matt O’Connor has taken them on another step.

Bob’s new coaching DVD

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