Ruck Stats Review: Force v Rebels

This game was effectively won with the Rebels scoring their two tries in the first 23 minutes with fast, selective defence and out-muscling their opposition at the breakdown.   The Rebels 57 ruck engagements in the first ten minutes, compared to the Force’s 18, shows just how dominant the Rebels were right from the opening whistle.

The Force stayed in touch with an opportunistic try by Alby Mathewson immediately prior to half-time.

As for the game against the Brumbies, the Force had all of the possession (71%) and territory (76%) in the second half but critical errors stifled the Force’s forward momentum and poor discipline allowed the Rebels to keep the scoreboard ticking over. The Force’s ruck involvement for the opening ten minutes of the second half (57 ruck engagements) was equally as impressive, however the Rebels responded (40 ruck engagements) far better than the Force’s efforts during the game’s opening ten minutes.

A choice of quick start over an offensive line-out option in the last two minutes saw the Western Force fall short 17-21 with a bonus point loss a minor consolation.

Remember:

1. Early means 1^st or 2^nd 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.

Force vs Rebels – What do the Ruck Statistics tell us?

Comments:

1. Ruck involvement by the Western Force forwards showed the same trend as for previous games in 2015 – standing off defensive rucks and only engaging when there was a clear advantage and opportunity to gain a turn-over. Force forward rucks in attack outnumbered rucks in defence 4:1.  The Force back row gained only a single turn-over (Tetera Faulkner) from 42 defensive ruck involvements.
2. Ruck involvement by the Rebels forwards, particularly by Colby Fainga’a and Sean McMahon, showed a more traditional game plan with a higher level of involvement in defensive rucks. Rebels forward rucks in attack outnumbered rucks in defence by nearly 2:1.  The Rebels forwards gained four turnovers from 80 defensive ruck involvements.
3. Despite playing for only 20 minutes, Scott Fuglistaller, was the standout No 7 making 14 rucks (100%/100%). He also had time to make five runs for 16m and win one turnover before leaving the field with a badly dislocated finger.  His replacement Colby Fainga’a, and Chris Alcock, toiled hard with high levels of involvement.   Both had low tackle efficiency (Fainga’a 63% and Alcock 69%).  Fainga’a one turnover.
4. Sean McMahon was the best rucking No 6; plus a game high 23 tackles (92%) and four runs for 53m.
5. Points about even between Ben McCalman and Scott Higginbotham with McCalman’s better ruck performance countered by Higginbotham’s higher tackle count (15 tackles at 100%) and better ball carrying (five carries for 15m).
6. Despite Sam Wykes’ strong support of the Force’s ball-carriers, Steve Mafi was the standout lock with a strong running game; 15 runs for 73m, four defenders beaten and one clean break. Solid rucking performance by Luke Jones in addition to his 12 tackles (100%), one turn over but four handling errors.
7. Pat Leafa was the standout front rower with a strong involvement in rucks both in attack and defence as well as five carries for 25m and eight tackles (100%), one turnover. Solid rucking performance by Paul Alo-Emile from off the bench.
8. Commendable rucking efforts by Tamati Ellison and Mitch Inman, particularly in the 1^st half, who both put immense pressure on the Force ball carriers with more ruck involvements than many of the Forwards.  Ellison earned two turn overs and had six carries for 28m and ten tackles (100%).   Inman had eight carries for 34m, 13 tackles (87%) and a long, well-placed kick which stifled a lot of the Force’s forward momentum in the final minutes.

The following tables show ruck involvement for each 10-minutes of the match.

Comments:

1. Commendable near-80 minute efforts by Alcock, Wykes, Charles, Fainga’a, McCalman and McMahon.
2. Some big efforts (ruck/minute) by Weeks, Fuglistaller, Ellison, McCalman, Leafu and Fainga’a (1^st half) and Wykes, Charles, Fianga’a, McMahon, Alo-Emile and Alcock (2^nd half).

Other significant ruck efforts:

Force                    

Coleman (20 min) – 13 rucks (92%/100%).

Rebels                 

Naivalu (15 min) – 10 rucks (70%/100%);

Burgess (15 min) – 9 rucks (100%/100%).