Analysis: Where has Beauden Barrett's kick-pass gone?
It seems like last year an endless supply of cross-field kicks fuelled the Hurricanes attack, led by Beauden Barrett.
Rainbow after rainbow sailed through the air to the likes of Laumape, Savea, Jane and younger brother Jordie on the flanks, much to the embarrassment of the opposition.
This year the kick-pass has been shelved for the most part by Barrett, tucked away back in the bag of tricks.
It seems strange that something so successful would almost disappear so quickly. Was it just a short-term gimic? Have edge defences patched up their shortcomings? Will we ever see it again in such frequency as 2017?
To find the answer, we explored what made the kick-pass so successful in the first place looking back at the scenarios it was deployed in.
In phase play, the most effective kicks came from ‘hot ball’ – either a quick turnover in attacking position or a decent break down the field. In both of these situations, a back-peddling defensive line offered an invitation to attack wide. With a scrambling defence, Barrett could use his precise boot to drop a dime over the top if space on the edge offered.
In transition plays, the opposition back three can find themselves operating a man down, making it hard to operate the pendulum between the wingers and fullback.
There is no better example of this than against the Stormers, where he pulls the strings expertly on Dillyn Leyds. Entrenched in a kicking battle, Barrett identifies space in behind and opts to chip on the counter.
The dink finds the open space and draws Leyds (11) off his wing to clean up the loose ball.
Leyds tries to return serve downfield but is charged down by Brad Shields. The Hurricanes re-gather the loose ball and create a high-pressure transition phase for the Stormers.
We can see the space developing in behind as the Stormers struggle to retreat after the error. The quick turnover sets the platform for the kick-pass, and Leyds is caught out of position.
Leyds frantically sprints back to cover the space but the Hurricanes recycle is too fast. The call has been made and Barrett puts the ball on the money in the exposed edge channel, hitting Cory Jane on the chest for five points.
Turning the ball over to the Hurricanes in your own half was an invitation for disaster, and one of the ways Barrett utilised his cross-field kicks to great effect.
Another phase play scenario was from opposition exit kicks. Having the opposition deep in their own territory is a good starting point. If the clearance failed to find touch, the Hurricanes had possession in striking range.
This situation is one the Hurricanes carefully plan to deliberately get ex-NRL winger Ngani Laumape onto the edge. We can see Laumape turn his back on the exit kick and make a beeline for the opposite touchline when retreating, setting himself up for a few phases later.
If space is available or he sights the winger up in the line, Laumape can make the call for the cross kick.
The Hurricanes also used the wipers option from set-piece for a one-on-one aerial contest, positioning the winger right on the touchline to get an isolated matchup. This was more of a calculated gamble, using a big man like Savea in the air against another winger.
This year they have focused more on using scrums with TJ Perenara as a playmaker, keeping ball in hand and utilising the strength of Laumape as a runner and the finishing touch of Ben Lam on the edge, rarely bringing out a cross-kick from set-piece.
So why have we seen reduced usage in phase play?
A lot has to do with the emergence of Ben Lam as a force on the wing, who has been given a lot of ball through the hands even though the kick-pass could be on. The Hurricanes haven’t used Lam in the air as much as they did with Savea on the left wing.
The absence of Cory Jane also has taken away a good jumping option on the right side, and perhaps it’s a communication problem – the calls may not be coming in without the experience of Jane.
The space has still been there, but the Hurricanes have just done other things.
Jordie Barrett (15) calls for the cross-field kick at the bottom of the screen but Beauden shapes to pass.
A lot of it has to do with Barrett looking to play more with a wide passing game. He has tried to use the long pass more but it hasn’t been as effective, often hitting the winger stagnant with the delivery behind the player.
When the Hurricanes enter the opposite half through their own possession, they have stayed true to using the 1-3-3-1 pattern to attack from, using Laumape as a backdoor release option in a receiver role.
The movement usually entails running multiple forwards around the corner to the opposite touchline from the lineout and then playing back through the pattern using the backdoor release options to keep one phase moving. This has expanded Laumape’s role a bit more and sees him tied up in the middle.
The quick ball scenarios off turnovers and long breaks haven’t been there this year – the opposition hasn’t been coughing up possession under pressure in their own half and the Hurricanes haven’t made massive inroads from their own half. Holding possession for long phases has been an issue. A chance to use the kick-pass might be developing but the ball is turned over too soon.
Heading into a do-or-die clash against the Chiefs, Beauden Barrett shouldn’t be afraid to pull out the kick-pass that was so effective in 2017. His wide passing hasn’t been clinical this year and he can exploit the space by using an old trick.
There is no better player in the game at doing it, and now could be just be the right time to bring it back.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments