RWC Ruck Analysis: Australia v Argentina

Desperate and scrambling defence.

The Pumas never really threatened the Wallabies’ try line, yet with the scoreboard at Wallabies 19:6 Pumas after 31 minutes the result seemed a foregone conclusion.  However, for the next 40 minutes the Pumas never stopped testing the Wallabies defence, throwing the ball about from inside their own 22 and entertaining us all with their attacking skills and exciting endeavours.  Only the desperate and scrambling defence of the Wallabies kept the Pumas at bay after they had clawed back to be within a converted try just after the main break.  The Mitchell/AAC try at 71 minutes meant that it was time to start breathing again as the win and place in the final became more certain.

What the Wallabies showed against the Pumas was not the recipe for success against the All Blacks:

• Pumas made 144 runs for 577m – 18 Clean Breaks and 33 Defenders Beaten;
• Wallabies showed a more subdued 100 carries for 358m – only 8 CB and 28 DB;
• Wallabies conceded 12 turnovers – fortunately the Pumas conceded 21;
• Wallabies conceded 12 Penalties – the Pumas only 6;
• The tackling efficiency of both teams was poor – Pumas 97 tackles/28 missed (78%) and Wallabies 157 tackles/33 missed (83%);
• Pumas won 103 of 101 Rucks (93%) and the Wallabies a game-saving 75 of 77 Rucks (97%); and
• Wallabies averaged ~45% Possession/Territory over the game but only 40% in the 2^nd

The Wallabies Back Row represented the last line of defence (Fardy 16 tackles/1 missed; Pocock 14/4; Hooper 11/2) with strong support from the Locks (Douglas 15/0 and Simmons 9/2), Kuridrani 10/2 and Moore 9/0.  Reinforcements off the bench provided ongoing cover support – Holmes 8/1 (28 min) and Toomua 6/1 (16 min).

Ruck Involvements by both teams were surprisingly even at all stages throughout the match.  The telling factor was the 10 Turn Overs Won by the Wallabies Forwards (Pocock 4, Fardy 2, Douglas 2, Hooper 1, Smith 1) against the 2 TOW by the Pumas Forwards (Petti 2).

David Pocock has the most TOW at RWC 2015 with 14 (Leone Nakarawa 9 and Thierry Dusatoir 9) and has earned them at close to 4 TOW per Test.  TOW by other Wallabies include: Fardy 5, Douglas 4, Mumm 3, Beale 2, Giteau 2, Kuridrani 2, Hooper 2, McCalman 2, Sio 2.

 RUCK INVOLVEMENTS

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. Wallabies Forwards maintained pressure on the Pumas ball carriers with Defensive Rucks making up 37% of Total Ruck Involvements. The 97 DRIs is the highest recorded at RWC 2015 and 22 more than against Wales.
2. Wallabies Back Row – 46% of Forward’s Total Ruck/64% of Defensive Ruck Involvements.
3. Wallabies Front Row – 33% of Forward’s Total Ruck/26% of Defensive Ruck Involvements (DRI).
4. Wallabies Forwards earned Turn Overs (TOW) at the rate of about TOW/11 DRI.
5. Pocock earned his at TOW/6.5 DRI.
6. Wallabies Backs contributed 22% of Total Rucks and Defensive Ruck involvements.
7. Kuridrani’s work rate at rucks always deserves his listing amongst the Forwards. His defensive efforts warrant his starting XV selection.  Other strong contributors: AAC – 12 Total (7A/5D) and Foley 10 Total (7A/3D).
8. Pumas Forwards also attempted to put pressure on the Wallabies ball carriers with Defensive Rucks being 24% of Total Rucks but with nowhere near the Wallabies effectiveness.
9. Pumas Back Row – 32% of Forward’s Total Rucks/36% of defensive Ruck Involvements.
10. Pumas Front Row 42% of Forward’s Total Rucks/41% of defensive Ruck Involvements.
11. Pumas Forwards earned turn overs at the rate of TOW/32 DRI.

Comments:

1. The spread of Ruck Involvements by both teams across the match is remarkably similar.
2. The Wallabies lifted after half time when they were being tested by the Pumas fightback.
3. The Pumas pressure really came on in the last quarter of the match with strong lift from replacements.
4. Pocock, Kuridrani, Fardy, TPN, Douglas, Holmes gallantly resisted the Pumas onslaught 60-70 minutes.
5. The Wallabies were spent in the closing stages but Hooper and Pocock soldiered on when the Pumas were desperate to score.

LOOKING FORWARD

Once the teams are announced I hope to provide an All Blacks – Wallabies ruck head-to-head based upon what they’ve shown at RWC 2015.