Ok so this may be quite cheap but I wanted to highlight the game to watch this weekend and the entry that I wanted to post on the decline of rugby into professionalism isn't quite ready (I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to sharing my writing). So I will just post a few details on this rounds 'Game of the week' and publish my rant at a later date.
The game to watch this weekend is definitely the Hurricanes vs Crusaders on Friday night in Wellington. It should be a good game, but the thing about the Hurricanes is that you never know which team is going to turn up. I'm hoping that they bring a more disciplined approach in defence and employ the powerful, explosive running that they have become known for. I expect that the key to the match, like any other rugby game, lies out at no. 10 (First five) and I am looking forward to seeing how the Hurricanes' loose forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe, manage the Crusaders first-five, Dan Carter.
First-five is the most influential position on the field as it is a team's number one attacking weapon. It is the position that makes the key tactical decisions during a game — whether to kick for space or tactical advantage, move the ball to his outside backs, return the ball to his forwards to drive on to or run with the ball himself. In past years it has been the openside flanker's (e.g Chris Masoe) job to target the first-five, however now the loose trio (ie loose forwards) work more as a three-pronged attack, in that the individual roles of the three positions have become interchangeable. And so now it is the job of all the loose forwards to attack the first-five on defence and find the weakness. Once a weakness is established at first-five the oppositions backline will most likely start to fracture and it should be easier to force the opposition into making mistakes. And since Carter is undoubtedly New Zealander's strongest first-five/playmaker then it should only make sense that putting pressure on him will be the key to victory for the Hurricanes.
On the other side I think that the Crusaders' more structured and disciplined style of play is likely to frustrate the Hurricanes' players. The Crusaders have been Super 14 champions multiple times because of their ability to starve the opposition of the ball. The Crusaders retain possession of the ball for long periods of time and their quick phase ball means that they are able to get beyond the advantage line and capitalise on weak defense. The suffocating attacking style coupled with the ability to turn over ball in the tackle repeatedly usually allows the Crusaders to control the match.Against the Hurricanes, the Crusaders biggest advantage will be their ability to take control. The Hurricanes' players thrive in the expansive style of rugby (ie when the ball is spun wide and there is a lot of space to work with), however their inability to play within a structured gameplan is often their downfall, and I am sure that the Crusaders will look to take advantage of this weakness. It will be a matter of the Crusaders dictating the speed of the play, and they will most likely want keep it slow and structured in the first 60 minutes with a lot of rucks and mauls ie a multi-phase gameplane, so that they are able to deprive the Hurricanes of the ability to play free-running rugby. The Crusaders will want to draw the Hurricanes' loose forwards into the rucks and mauls, and try and get the trio tangled up in forward play to limit their strong running bursts and to also keep them away from Carter. It will also break the clear link between the forwards and the Hurricanes traditional try-scorers ie their backs. Ritchie McCaw and Mose Tuiali'i will definitely have their hands full, however they may have found a new comrade to help combat the Hurricane's brutes in their young blindside, Kieran Reid. I am very keen to see how the new loose forward goes against what is essentially the All Black's loose trio (minus McCaw obviously). If, however, the Crusaders' feel as though they have their foot on the Hurricanes' neck I am sure we shall see the Crusaders loosen up a bit and they may start to take a few more risks. For the Hurricanes it will be a matter of capitalising on the opportunities they are given, and trying to create their own without exposing to much of their 'neck' - it will be a fine line but if the right Hurricanes' team turn up we could see a bit of an upset.
Another key match-up to watch are the two half-backs. Piri Weepu will be looking to prove a point against the young Andy Ellis - the player who was selected for the world cup team ahead of Weepu. I am certain that with the strength of the two sides loose forwards the tackle-ball area will be hotly contested and it will be here that the two half-backs will need to gain some sort of advantage over the other. If the Hurricanes' forwards are able to provide a strong platform look for Weepu's strong confrontational styled of running from the rucks and mauls and taking on the opposition's defense (he is almost like a fourth loosie). And I expect Andy Ellis to be more provider, but also watch for his snipping runs to continue the Crusaders impetus and his careful linking in the backline. However if I were Andy Ellis I would watch that channel either side of the ruck very carefully as the Hurricanes have some very menacing watchdog's out on patrol and I am sure he does not want to find out how sharp their teeth are.
With players like Carter though, who can call on an entire arsenal of skills and have the ability to marshall their backline with military efficiency, the Crusaders are always dangerous - no matter what time of the match. Whereas if the Hurricanes do not make a good start they are unlikely to be able to make it back u[. But the Hurricanes do have the home ground advantage (30,000 tickets have been sold) and the the conditions at cake-tin can be as unpredictable as the home team itself. So, I am looking forward to tomorrow nights game and I am glad that I have finally found a bit of excitement for the 2008 Super 14 season.
Oh and better say "C'mon on the chiefs", seen as though I am now a Hamiltonian... They are playing the Highlanders here in Hamilton tomorrow night at 5.30pm. And if I could guarantee that my little 20 month old All-black-in-the-making was able to sit still for the length of the game, we would be toddling down to the stadium with my partner, the Engineer, unfortunately as it is impossible for my son to sit still for any time longer than 5 minutes I may have to wait until Nana comes to visit before I can go to live game. So those of you who are without the joys of children I urge you to go down and support your local team!!!!
For the list of all the other games this weekend please see: http://www.super14.com/fixtures/
Definitions:
First-five (No. 10): Also called first-five eighth or fly half, this position is one of the most influential on the field. It is their job to make the tactical decisions and direct play. An ideal first-five should be a fast and deceptive runner, be able to make decisions quickly, direct the backline on defence and attack, have excellent kicking and handling skills and the ability to cope under pressure. Strong leadership skills are crucial for this position, as well as strong defensive skills. It is often that the first-five is the most important position out on the field.
Halfback (No. 9): also known as scrum-half, form the all important link between the forwards and the backs, and are invariably at the centre of the action. They are neither forward nor back but operate somewhere between, providing the ball from the forwards to the backs usually. A scrum half is normally relatively small but with a high degree of vision, the ability to react to situations very quickly. They will also have good ball-handling skills, as well as the ability to spin the ball with great ease off both hands. They are often (along with the openside flanker) the first tackler in defense and should be behind every scrum, maul or ruck to get the ball out and maintain movement. They put the ball into the scrum and collect it afterwards; they are also allowed to stand further forward than other backs at a line-out to try and catch a knock-down from the jumper. It is also not unusual to have a talkative half-back as he has to communicate to the rest of the team what is happening and what should be happening next. Though technically illegal, most half backs will subtlely (or not so subtlely in some cases) alert the referee to infringements committed by the opposition, Australian Greorge Gregan (aka the creator of the phrase 'four more years') was a master at this.
Loose forwards (loose trio - No's 6,7,8): Are the three position at the back of the scrum, blindside flanker (No. 6), openside flanker (No. 7) and Number 8.
Flankers (blindside & openside): Flanker is a fairly dynamic position with the fewest set of responsibilities during the game, however they are a crucial component in the team. It is their responsibility to clear up messy balls to start a new phase of play, meaning they play a major role in maintaining/gaining possession after handling errors. And also to pressure the first-five and force the mistakes. Tackle-ball is where you will most likely see the flankers influence and thier ability to turn over the ball is critical in the style that New Zealand teams choose to employ. In the scrum, flankers do less pushing than the tight five, but they have to break away quickly and attempt to tackle the opposing halfbacks or first-five if the opposition wins the scrum; and to cover their own half backs if they win the scrum. Due to their role in the scrum,flankers should be fairly heavy whilst still having speed and power.Considering how dynamic this position is, flankers can adapt slightly to their own style of play; for example, they can become big figures in tackling and mauls, or use their speed to run with the backs for tactical manoeuvres.
Number 8: Number eight is the only position that does not have a specific name in English and is simply referred to as 'number eight'. The modern number eight has the physical strength of a tight forward along with the mobility and pace of other loose forwards (he is often the fastest loose forward in the pack). The number eight packs down at the rear of the scrum, controlling the movement of the ball to the half back with his feet. The number 8 is the position where the ball enters the backline from the scrum and, hence, both first-five and second-five take their lead from the number 8 who, as the hindmost player in the scrum, can elect to pick and run with the ball like a back. As a result, the number 8 has similar opportunities to a back to run from set plays.They are normally tall and athletic and used as an option to win the ball from the back of the lineout. Like flankers they do less of the pushing than locks or props, but need to be quick to cover opposition half-backs. A number eight should be a key ball-winner in broken play, and occasionally a 'battering ram' at the front of rucks; he should also be able to break the opposition's line like his blindside flanker counterpart and the centres. Some back-row players are versatile enough to play either of the flanker positions or at number 8.
Scrum: is a means of restarting play after a minor infringement. It involves eight players from each team, known as the pack or forward pack, binding together in three rows and interlocking with the opposing teams forwards. At this point the ball is fed into the gap between the two forward packs and they both compete for the ball to win possession. Teams can be penalised for intentionally causing the scrum to collapse, and for not putting the ball into the scrum correctly. A scrum is most commonly awarded when the ball is knocked forward, or passed forward, or when a ball becomes trapped in a ruck or maul. Due to the physical nature of scrums, injuries can occur, especially in the front row.
Ruck:A ruck is formed when at least one player from each side bind onto each other with the ball on the ground between them. A ruck often ensues following the tackle-ball phase. As soon as at least two players, one from each side, are in physical contact together with the ball on the ground, a ruck has formed.This physical contact, or binding, is generally by locking shoulders while facing each other. Additional players may join the ruck, but must do so from behind the rearmost foot of the hindmost team mate in the ruck; this is often referred to as "coming through the gate". Players must also be on their feet to join the ruck, and must bind onto the ruck with their whole arm around the body of a team mate. In a ruck no player may use his hands to win the ball; instead each side attempts to push the other side back, and players use their feet to hook the ball back towards their own side — an action known as rucking the ball. The team with possession attempts to ruck the ball back towards their own goal-line, where is it picked up by one of their own players. Once the ball is out of the ruck, the ruck is overPlayers in a ruck may not deliberately go to ground themselves, and must try to stay on their feet. Players must also not attempt to ruck the ball near players on the ground as this is dangerous. If a player is on the ground, they must try to move away from the ball and not interfere with the ball in any way. If the ball becomes trapped in a ruck, the referee awards a scrum to the side moving forward.
Maul: occurs when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball carrier's team mates bind on the ball carrier. Once a maul has formed other players may join in but, as in a ruck, they must do so from their own side. If the maul stops moving forward, and the ball is not available to be played, then the referee awards a scrum to the side not in possession when the maul began (unless the maul was formed immediately after a player received a kick other than a kick-off). The tactic of the rolling maul occurs when mauls are set up, and the ball is passed backwards through the players' hands to one at the rear, who rolls off the side to change the direction of the drive. This tactic can be extremely effective in gaining ground and both doing it properly and preventing it takes great skill and technique. It is a tactic most commonly used when the attacking side is inside the defending side's 22-m line. It is illegal, on safety grounds, to pull down a maul, so that players fall to the ground. Referees are aware that many sides will try to stop a maul by deliberately collapsing it and will watch carefully for this illegal tactic. On the other hand, a maul is not properly formed if the ball carrier binds on to a team-mate from the rear, and both of them then drive into one or more opponents - or if the ball-carrier breaks off from the back of the maul, which continues to drive forward. The players in front are either accidentally or deliberately offside and the referee awards either a scrum or a penalty to the opposing side, depending on whether the infringement was viewed as accidental or deliberate. The tactic is sometimes referred to by players, commentators, and referees by the colloquial term "truck and trailer".
Quick phase ball: being able to recylced the ball back to team-mates at the breakdown (ie ruck or maul) efficiently and set up the next phase of play quickly.
Advantage line: The only way to really put pressure on your opponent is to break the advantage line. Every time that your team is in possession of the ball it it imperative to keep the ball moving forward and past it's last position. The advantage line is the imaginery line that the opposition stand on, Rugby is about trying to get beyond this line. As this forces the opposition to turn and fall back, putting them on the back foot. Remember players ahead of the ruck are considered off-side and are in effect useless to defend, so the more you force your team behind the defenders the more pressure you put on your opponents defence.
Watchdogs: Is a colloquial term used to describe the first one or two defensive players on either side of the ruck or maul. Their role is to defend the channel close to the breakdown area and stop the runner that tries to make quick metres. Watch Jerry Collins to see how this is done effectively.
