Test match tactics can pay off
21 May 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes that the conservative Stormers and Waratahs should be criticised for inconsistency rather than poor tactical intent.
Rugby supporters need to face up to the reality that tactical kicking is a fundamental part of the modern game. Until the IRB changes the laws, the smarter teams will continue to play for territory.
There are many who bemoaned the quality of Saturday’s match at Newlands. I would agree that it wasn’t pretty, but I could understand what both teams were trying to achieve. The Stormers attempted to suffocate the Waratahs with their physical defence, while the visitors hoped to fracture that defence with a series of high bombs and raking probes.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said afterwards that the Waratahs kicked 20% more than they usually do, which is an indicator of how much they rate the Cape team’s defence. It wasn’t a flawed ploy, but it was overdone and rarely implemented with much accuracy. Some of the Waratahs’ punts lacked the necessary air-time to be effective and in some instances there wasn’t enough pressure from the kick-chase.
Another reason why their kicking accuracy wasn’t up to standard was their inferiority at the breakdowns and collisions. The Crusaders and Reds enjoyed success at Newlands last year when they dominated these areas and then kicked in behind the Stormers’ defence. They won the forward battle as well as the battle for territory. This is the key to beating the Stormers. You don’t go through them, you go over them.
It shouldn’t surprise anybody that the teams that prize physicality, a sound tactical kicking game and a watertight defence are currently in the top six. The Chiefs and Bulls have scored far more tries than the Stormers, but their appreciation for the trends and the adjustments they’ve made to their respective game plans (especially with regards to the Chiefs) has been crucial to their success in 2012.
And it’s because of the successful execution and blending of all these facets, that is their dominance at the gain line, smart territorial play and sound defence, that they have been able to score tries. The big difference between teams like the Chiefs and the Stormers however is that the Chiefs have been more consistent, and more ruthless, when they’ve been presented with attacking and counter-attacking opportunities.
The log suggests otherwise, with the Stormers boasting an impressive 10 from 11 record, but the Stormers continue to battle for consistency over an 80-minute period. Last Saturday was again an example where they played themselves into a position to win the game comfortably, but then lapsed badly.
I wrote before the Waratahs game that the Stormers would do well to win all three of the remaining matches before the break for June internationals. I said that the Stormers, who have been hit by injuries to their back row, would take any sort of win.
They must be satisfied with yet another four log points, but it must also pain them to know that in the context of individual games like those against the Cheetahs and Waratahs, they have built big leads but have failed to ram the advantage home.
There has been heavy criticism in the Cape regarding the Stormers’ lack of four-try bonus points, but I don’t buy into the idea that they need to alter their tactics in order to score more tries. I agree with captain Jean de Villiers that consistency is needed.
They scored zero points in the second half against the Cheetahs and three in the last 40 against the Waratahs. When you look past the points and analyse the performance, it’s notable how their levels of intensity and accuracy of the first half don’t match that of the second.
The Waratahs will regret their own inaccuracies in Saturday’s game, as it was the application of their tactics that was at fault rather than the tactics themselves. Forget the booing of the ignoramuses. They came into the game with the right idea, but just couldn’t execute efficiently.
What they did highlight once again is that there is a chink in that defensive armour of the Stormers. We’ve seen it before with the better tactical kicking teams putting the ball in behind the Stormers’ defensive line. It is something the Stormers’ next two opponents, the Sharks and the Bulls, will surely look to attempt.
Coetzee called last week’s clash ‘a Test match’, and given that it was a tactical arm-wrestle, the description was fairly apt. The Stormers did well to bag four log points from that encounter, but can expect similar ‘Tests’ in Durban and Pretoria in the next fortnight.
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124 Comments
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21 May 2012, 14:51 pm
@nama1(nama1)-96:
Bulls nearly did win it when Wepener came on,
Again, you go back to the assumption that it’s all about rugby which is not!
See what Michael Foly said after the match on Joubert and Co:
”I thought there were several of decisions in that part of the field which left me scratching my head.”
Foly probably means ‘pulling his hair’
21 May 2012, 14:52 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-99:
With it… Genia is also hitting top form, it seems.
Just wonder if they left it a bit too late since they now have to battle it out against the Sharks (who’s also hitting their straps), the Crusaders, the Highlanders and the Hurricanes for one of the three places from position 4-6.
This weekend the Canes and Landers both have “easy” games whereas the Reds have to beat the leader of their conference. It’s make or break for them this weekend, I think.
21 May 2012, 15:00 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-100:
They might as well.
The stars told me so.
@Hondo(Hondo)-101:
The Chiefs and Stormers won’t leave it up to the ref to influence the outcome.
21 May 2012, 15:07 pm
Nama I hope they aren’t the same stars that have been helping you with your Superbru.
21 May 2012, 15:15 pm
@ufo(ufo)-83: Soppy…:lol: But farken excellent. Bravo
21 May 2012, 15:18 pm
The player who really impressed me this weekend in the Sharks/Vrystaat match was WP Nel…
While all the tattling masses get cheap thrills from Coenie, the real cornerstone in the Cheetahs ability to compete at scrumtime is W.P.
Quiet, Professional, Disciplined and solid technique… WP Nel should be in the mix at tighthead for the Boks
21 May 2012, 15:20 pm
winter is here
ugh
atleast the sun is shining.
21 May 2012, 15:22 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-106: he is in with a shout. The stocks are pretty thin at tight head.
21 May 2012, 15:52 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-104:
Actually, you should hope that they are since my bru is so kak.
21 May 2012, 16:28 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-91:
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-94:
@nama1(nama1)-96:
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-98:
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-105:
sorry guys been in meetings all day…
shot guys…
21 May 2012, 16:30 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-106:
WP Nel is excellent… but his (apparent) expressed wish to quality for scotland would exclude him from playing for the boks…
would’ve been my tight head pick top otherwise.
21 May 2012, 16:35 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-106:
Argueably the best TH currently, but then the Beast made him look even better
Nel has demolished so far this season all the LHs he faced in the matches which I watched, included the red head from WP, Dean Greyling, Ben Frank of the Saders and Moran from the Canes, the Beast was just the latest, not the last!
21 May 2012, 16:43 pm
@ufo(ufo)-111: @Hondo(Hondo)-112: He did well against Beast… I am impressed with his attitude. No macho, just business.
He cannot be considering the Scots if he is in line for the Boks… and if he is not in line for the Boks this season then something is severely wrong.
21 May 2012, 16:58 pm
@ufo(ufo)-111:
A boy from loeriesfontein trying to qualify for Scotland?
That would be a first.
Conditioning, fitness, consistency. That’s what he needs to work on.
CONSISTENTLY.
21 May 2012, 17:12 pm
Seems odd.
A boy from the states wanting to play for Scotland.
Maybe he enjoys wearing skirts?
In which case he should save himself the airfare and sign for the stormers.
21 May 2012, 17:30 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-115:
Did you get rejected again this weekend, mofkop? Jou Spear hang uit.
21 May 2012, 17:45 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-113:
@nama1(nama1)-114:
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-115:
yeah… quite strange… but when it was announced that he had signed to play in scotland… mention was made of him trying to qualify for the national side too… so apparently he is not available for the boks… i keep saying apparently cause i would love someone else to to say i’m wrong… he would be buy first choice bok tighthead
nama bud… he and brok have the best overall stats for the season so far for tighheads in south africa… so he has actually been very consistent over the season…
21 May 2012, 18:00 pm
jenson button’s one grandma was also apparently an afrikaans lady… so we live in a country of complex ancestral roots…
21 May 2012, 18:19 pm
Keurboom park indeed.
Say no more.
21 May 2012, 20:01 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-119:
Indeed, Indeed. Stormers by 10.
21 May 2012, 20:36 pm
Ja jou holborsel.
Don’t bet your tazz on it.
Should be a squeaker.
21 May 2012, 22:01 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-121:
Meet you in the lesbian karoake bar in Salt River. I’ll brush your teeth while I give you a lap dance. Leave your gum shield in Toti
22 May 2012, 07:16 am
The Crack Snacker?
22 May 2012, 07:44 am
I was interested to see Victor Matfield spending 3 days last week riding a bicycle and camping in a small tent (how did he fit??). Lucky he had a small partner. Nice, humble guy and not a bad result either. Unlike some (not all!!) of the “Rugby Legends” (**** Muir was one) in the same ride who acted like prima donnas.
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