Smashing inot spaces

Smashing into spaces.

This post's heading sounds like a punk rock's album title, and I think that the element of rock as a sensation and not as a musical genre applies very well when the statement is turned into action on the rugby field and is executed properly.

I recently read a post on the Super sport website that was headed "Time to take a deep look within" the article was factual and a revelation into our rugby as a nation, especially the part about the conservative approach of S.A franchises to the game. The pick up and drives, half back's box kicks into opponents 22.

This approach makes sense because the thinking behind it is to draw defenders and then make a kick to put the ball behind them which if the attacking side has good chasers then they can stall the counter attack and would have gained the territorial advantage. Simple enough, simple game plans win games. There is not a lot of room for thought on a rugby field.

And then the author of the article writes that "we have to find new ways of getting the boys into gaps"- this is where I differ with him. There is only one way of getting into gaps or space in the defence and that is running into them, find the smallest space and smash right into it, get this right, smash into the space, NOT the defender next to the space. This can make a big difference should the player in possession want to off-load or pass the ball so as to keep continuity.

What we do need to find though, are ways of creating space/gaps in the defence. There are many ways that already exist which I think our teams are not exploiting to full effect, with the exception of the pick up and drive. There is the option of getting extra players in the back line, running at varying angles and the change of direction which I saw the lions trying this past weekend albeit to no avail although one could also argue that that is the same thing that Sonny Bill Williams did against the Bulls, and the question would be, why did it work then? The answer has to do with pace of execution, angle of run and anticipation. The lions' players who tried this started of in a flat line where defenders had already lined them up and they got the ball at a trot while running in a straight line. Whereas Williams changed his angle of run to lose his marker; he got the ball when he was already running at a faster pace than a trot and changing direction bought him a few seconds of hesitation and therefore erased anticipation as a factor against him, this got him and his team the favourable result.

In this country most players are taught to run over the defender at an early stage I life, I have coached mini rugby I heard this week in and week out. This is what players revert to when they've tried the game plan to not avail, unfortunately this is not very effective at senior levels.

The inside centre, size is not everything.

In South Africa, inside centres have always been, and largely are still, selected for their size and power based qualities or skills. In the olden days and as is currently the norm at high school level, the coach would select a big ball carrying unit at number 12. The main aim would be to try and bust through the defence route one. This worked then - and to an extent it still does in high schools and at club level.

But that kind of approach is fast losing effect the more the game of rugby evolves. The game of rugby is evolving towards a more skills- and technique-based struggle, and away from a strength or grunt contest. This is why positional skill requirements have changed.

Yes, size still plays an important role, although it can be overlooked as its value depends on use. If I want a loose forward in my backline I can just work my game plan to bring one of the three that are already on the field into the line, I don’t need to field an extra one. A big number 12 who has skills with his boot, and an ability to side-step into gaps as well as a keenness to keep the ball moving is an invaluable asset to any team, but an inside centre who is smaller in stature can be just as effective. And there are many e.g., Matt Giteau (85kg), Aaron Mauger (93kg) and our very own Juan de Jongh (87kg)

These qualities are those that are necessary for a fly-half, in fact they’re a standard requirement for any number 10 worth his salt. As a coach I require that my inside centres have a fly-half’s skills set. With this kind of midfield the ball is bound to keep moving to the outside backs and will do so quickly. In addition, the attack will not lose structure if the designated fly-half takes a run and finds himself at the bottom of a ruck, play continues as per normal. PLUS, rotating the first receiver makes it difficult for the defence to target one player through his style of play.