This week we take a look at some of the missing fundamentals, how the top 3 Aussie teams are looking for the run home and wonder what is going on with the Kiwi teams.
Fundamentals and game IQ
Each season we hear the reports of the Kiwi teams, in particular the Chiefs being innovative with the rules and in general game play and the flow on effect through the other Kiwi teams. We also hear about how NZ rugby has in the past recruited Aussies like Michael Byrne, the ex AFL player as a skills coaches helping them improve their kicking skills in particular.
Watching the Aussie teams over the last few weeks it would be a fair question to ask if it is something in our game that is being neglected and is having an impact on our performances?
An example of this is a basic fundamental of the game; kicking for touch. It’s a coach killer and infuriating to fans alike. I am sure we can forgive one miss from a bad kick or trying for too much territory, but in the Brumbies game on the weekend it clearly indicated a skills problem. We also saw the same problem in the Reds game. Why are our kicking skills poor? In a country that has AFL where kicking out of the hand is commonplace, it’s not like it’s a foreign concept.
The last few weekends have also shown that when it comes to “thinking” players, we need to keep working at it. A perfect example of this is the Sam Carter maul we saw against the Highlanders. Three times he was penalised for the same maul infringement. Sure we can blame him, but there is also a team full of Wallabies who let it rinse and repeat without intervention.
In the Reds game we had a flash back moment in the maul where we reverted to last years rules with the Hooker sliding back with the ball in hand.
I must say I was bemused when it was reported that the incumbent Wallaby 10 didn’t know you could take quick conversions. Both the Chiefs and Brumbies have taken quick conversation in the last two weeks.
Fundamentals and game IQ are a core component of a successful team, and Aussie teams seem to be lacking these core skills. Is it a coaching issue or a player issue? Whatever it is, it’s another element where we are a step behind the Kiwis.
It’s a worry considering in the past the Wallabies reputation and success was built off playing intelligent and innovative footy.
Unpredictable Kiwis
If nothing else the battle of the Kiwi group is a bookies nightmare to predict who will make the finals.
In the opening weeks it was all about the Chiefs Juggernaut looking formidable. Then the Highlanders and Hurricanes started to get on a role with the Crusaders looking like they were having their habitual slow season start, but put together some messy and unconvincing performances that was getting them wins.
Jump forward to the end of Round 11 and who would have picked the Crusaders to be leading the Kiwi group with a game up their sleeves after already having their 2 byes and seeing the Chiefs drop their 2nd game, especially at home and by a decent margin.
The Wild card spot in the Australasian group looks like it will a battle of the Kiwis teams with the Chiefs having the advantage at this point but the Kiwi derbies in the final few weeks including the Crusaders to play the Chiefs, Highlanders and the Hurricanes will make for some really interesting games.
Round 13 could be critical for the Crusaders and Chiefs as a loss to the Aussie teams may be season defining.
The Aussie teams run home
With 6 rounds remaining let’s have a look at the run home for the top 3 Aussie teams. At this point any one of them could finish top of the conference and secure a finals spot, a wildcard spot isn’t out of the question for the team that finishes in second, but is by no means assured.
In theory the Brumbies have the easiest run home and despite having a bye may look like the most likely team to finish on top. With injured players looking set to come back into play things are looking pretty positive. But having said that the Brumbies have fallen to lower placed teams at crunch times in the past, so nothing is out of the question.
The Waratahs have a trickier run, playing three of the top 4 Kiwi teams. A positive for the Waratahs is that they face the Canes and Chiefs on home soil, although their record in Sydney this season isn’t exactly sparkling. It is probably still on the easier side than facing Kiwi teams in New Zealand. The June test window comes at a good time for them; having had both of their byes early it will give tired bodies a chance for full recovery.
The Rebels … well it has been said many times that they have failed to defeat teams placed higher than them on the ladder. With only the Force and an improved Reds outfit below them out of the teams they have left to play it is definitely crunch time for the Rebels. This weekend’s match against the Brumbies is vital and a must win for the Rebels, as a loss could put a massive dent in their campaign.
Probably the most important round out of those remaining is Round 13, not only for the three Australian teams, but also for the Kiwi teams. The Brumbies have the bye, so it is an ideal opportunity for the Rebels and Waratahs to get points knowing theBrumbies can’t. BUT, with the Waratahs playing the Crusaders and the Rebels playing the Chiefs, both games being held in New Zealand, it certainly won’t be easy. For the Kiwi teams, any points they can get against Australian opponents will help as there are a lot of NZ derbies in the last part of the season.
Tackling players in the air
Over the past three weeks we have seen a run of cards for dangerous tackles, namely tackling the player in the air. Jason Emery (Highlanders) was sent off and suspended for 4 weeks for his hit on Willie Le Roux (Sharks), Leolin Zas (Stormers) was sent off and suspended for 2 weeks for his hit on Bernard Foley (Waratahs) and Charles Ngatai (Chiefs) was yellow carded and avoided sanction for his hit on Elliot Dixon (Highlanders). While the first of these was pretty clear cut the other 2 have been cause for debate.
Zas appeared to slip while going in to challenge for the high ball, which effectively took him out of the competition for the ball and caused him to collide with Foley who was in the air. Many heated forum and twitter conversations have taken place about whether Zas slipping had an impact and should have been taken into account, however by the letter of the law it was the correct decision, Foley landed dangerously and Zas HAD made contact with him while he was in the air.
In the weekends Chiefs v Highlanders match Elliot Dixon attempted to jump/dive for the ball. As he did, Charles Ngatai tackled him around the legs, making no challenge for the ball, just the player. He was shown a yellow card. Here is a situation where the player tackled another player around the legs when he was in the air, yet wasn’t red carded. The reasoning was that Dixon didn’t land in a dangerous position.
The section of the law which deals with this is pretty specific. Law 10.4 (i) states “A player must not tackle nor tap, push or pull the foot or feet of an opponent jumping for the ball in a lineout or in open play” It does not mention anything to do with how the player lands, yet we often hear referees and TMO’s use the landing as a marker for the type of card/penalty.
So if a player is deliberately tackled in the air but manages to land safely is the penalty less than if they landed on their back or shoulders? Is the intent of the tackler taken into account? I am by no means discounting how dangerous it is for a player to land on their neck, but what about if a player lands on their legs and breaks an ankle? Technically the player has not landed in a dangerous position and by some referees rulings would merit a yellow card at worst.
As with many of the contentious refereeing decisions this year some clarity and consistency would greatly help the fans understand.
Report card
Rebels B- : On a much welcomed bye this week they will be gearing up for a season defining run of 5 games against teams above them on the table. So far they are just above the 50% win/loss ratio and will be a little disappointed they don’t have more points in the bank. The Rebel will be stinging after falling to the Blues and looking to take down the Brumbies to give them every chance at a finals birth. The key for the Rebels season might be in finding more in attack as they are currently in the bottom half of the table for tries scored.
Tah’s C: At the risk of again upsetting the faithful after watching this weeks game, it has to be said after the result against the Stormers they seem to have regressed. Against the Cheetahs they were ugly and unconvincing, but got the job done; if winning at home without a bonus point to a lower placed opposition was a sufficient outcome. There is still a lot to work on with flashes of brilliance, punctuated by, well; I am led to believe politics is more interesting than what they are putting out on the field. Could Donald Trump really be President? With the other Aussie teams faltering the Tah’s are still in the finals race, but will need to really improve if they want to be more than making up the numbers.
Reds D: Just when I thought they were showing some consistency off the back of some decent and competitive performances the Reds fell back into old habits and were blown off the park this week, admittedly by the competition leaders. It was unlikely that anyone expected them to win, but it was surprising how poor they were. Back to the Jekyll and Hyde team of mixed performances. They still appear lost after about 6 phases and it’s still all a bit hectic. It’s not going to get any easier with the remaining draw they have, but if they split the difference between the Jekyll and Hyde performances for the rest of the season they might yet scalp one of the higher ranked teams.
Force D: Win! Yes, they finally got another win. They even scored some tries! But in reality I am not sure if it was a lucky Force team that played ok, or a poor Sunwolves performance that flattered the opposition. Either way, a win is a win. The Force scored 6 tries, 2 of them from intercepts, but they blew the opportunity of a bonus point win letting the Sunwolves score 3 of the last 4 tries and again not being able to play the full 80. The performance should give the Force some confidence and a lift going forward. The Force still have 2 realistic chances of getting wins this season.
Brumbies B- : Desperate to steady the ship after consecutive losses and up against a Bulls team that had only lost one game, the Brumbies managed to secure a good win, in a game that was messy. Fluctuating between brilliant and appalling they somehow managed to get a decent win and stopped the Bulls from getting any momentum in the game. The significant individual errors in the performance are a cause for concern. On top of the challenge of trying to regain some form, the back line woes are compounded by the loss of Toouma for at least the next six weeks. Is it time to get an early start living without Toomua in 2017? Do you chance your hand with some under 20’s Wallabies or stick with a known quantity? The Brumbies are arguably the best placed heading towards the finals, and I believe it’s fair to say it’s their finals spot to lose.
