Analysis: How Nic White's recycle speed set the tempo and exposed tired All Black forwards
Playing with 14-men for 40-minutes was never going to be easy but it was Wallaby halfback Nic White that put the foot to the throat so to speak, orchestrating the Australian attack to hit the All Blacks where it would hurt.
White’s sniping, switching and high-tempo recycling wore down the All Blacks interior defenders and laid the platform for the Wallabies to get a roll on which they used to score 31 second-half points in the record-equaling win.
Compounding the problem for the All Blacks is White’s work was all done where Scott Barrett usually defends.
Barrett is generally always in-and-around the ball as one of the more athletic tight five forwards in the pack. He has a big engine, a high work rate and makes a lot of tackles in close. He often becomes a ‘pillar’ defender in close ruck channels after contesting or making a tackle.
Early in the game, Barrett showed intent to get to the halfback and put some pressure on the pass, hitting Nic White off-the-ball numerous times.
Even on the next phase, Barrett is already stalking the ruck as a pillar defender having tracked the ball across.
With a full complement of forwards and some extra pressure from Barrett, the All Blacks kept White relatively in check in the first half.
However, there were some communication breakdowns early, which White was able to target with perfect timing and accurate decision-making around when to run.
Here a Wallabies runner makes a decent carry and is attacked by two forwards over the ball, Dane Coles (2) and Kieran Read (8). Scott Barrett (4) is calling early for more support to fold around the corner to assist on the next phase.
Sam Cane (7) is cleaned out by Rory Arnold despite not really being involved in the ruck, taking him to the ground and out of the picture – a smart play by Arnold.
As Nic White (9) approaches the ruck, Owen Franks (3) is in motion to push across with large gaps on either side presenting to the Wallabies halfback.
Franks continues to push out and signals for another defender to fill the space, however, no one else is watching.
White bounces out to attack the space on the right and steps both Smith and Coles drifting across in cover, making a nice gain downfield. He knew just when to keep the All Blacks honest, sniping around the rucks or finding runners once defenders were interested.
It didn’t result in major returns in the first half but when Scott Barrett was red-carded on the stroke of halftime, the Wallabies had the perfect chance to unleash White. With the All Blacks down one of their key interior big men, his influence began to grow as the other forwards were forced to work harder in Barrett’s absence.
The tempo began to tire out the All Blacks as the Wallabies played long strings of phases, many played flat off 9 or though the ‘A’ channel by the ruck via White himself or pick-and-go’s. The threat of White was constant and began reaping rewards early after the break.
Deep on attack into the 10th phase, White sees Sam Whitelock (5) retreating from a missed tackle and immediately targets him, switching back to the short side.
Kieran Read (8) has to go around his own player, allowing White to bounce out past the first two defenders creating a three-on-two.
A fortuitous juggle from White’s pass to Rory Arnold ends with a walk-over try to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, capitalizing on some smart work from White and patient lead-up work from the whole team.
On their first possession, they built 14 phases before being held up over the line then built another 10 phases for the try with White conducting most of the proceedings and having an influential hand in the finish.
A trademark of this win was the Wallabies intent to run the ball, kicking to exit just once in the first half. Now with a 9-point lead up 21-12, they ramped up the speed immediately from the kick-off receipt, running five phases to the left to strike twice in a row.
After a Salakaia-Loto midfield carry on first phase, the Wallabies pick-and-go on second phase before Lealiifano carries on the third phase.
Key to this is how Aaron Smith (9), the sweeper, is called upon to make a tackle.
With one key ruck defender in Barrett red-carded, taking Smith out further weakens the All Blacks’ organisation around the breakdown which would be a factor two phases later.
The All Blacks begin to bend backward at a rapid rate, thinning the far side numbers. The pack has even more pressure to fold, having to go the long way around the ruck but White is already there pressing to deliver the pass.
White’s rapid recycle has the ball on the move before that can happen, and the Wallabies have a 4-on-2 overlap with easy metres at hand as the defence goes into jockey-mode to recover the situation.
The All Blacks close it down on halfway but a heads-up pick-and-go by Marika Koroibete exposes the defence where it’s short down a skinny corridor.
With the sweeper Aaron Smith still trying to get onside and back behind the defensive line, Koroibete looks up to see an open path ahead. Taking a quick pick and go, he draws Ioane in and the Wallabies break down the left edge with Kerevi before White scores backing up on the inside.
Building momentum over five phases weakened the defence and opened up a small window to attack straight through the ruck, a common theme with most of Australia’s phase play. The pick-and-go was used frequently to keep moving forward and prevent negative gain line plays.
The Wallabies showed no intention to let up and kick the All Blacks the ball, while White’s switching began to really mess with the defence. He was able to start running switches with regularity, bouncing out past multiple defenders at a time and create multiple overlaps out wide.
In one scoot, White takes three defenders out of play, Kieran Read (8), Atu Moli (17) and Sam Whitelock (5), giving the Wallabies a chance on the right side.
Targeting retreating defenders and tired tight forwards, White continued to pick the right option, often baiting the All Blacks one way and going the other.
On this occasion, he gets past two defenders to reach Dane Coles (2) and create a 4-on-2.
The pass is delivered a touch early allowing Coles to slide and the All Blacks recover from a disadvantageous position but the danger White offers was everpresent.
In the lead-up to the third try we see the subtleties used by White to throw the defence off. A scan to the blind side puts the defence on alert that way, before picking up and taxiing off to the right.
White has the attention of Angus Ta’avao (18) and flirts with danger long enough for Tupou to wind up. He hits Tupou flat with a ball that allows his runner to find space outside Kieran Read (8) and get over the gain line.
Two phases later Koroibete sneaks over from the ruck to extend the lead to 33-19.
The Wallabies have been guilty over the last two years of too much deep, lateral play which sees them often going backward and getting hammered behind the gain line.
A return to a more balanced attack using straighter running and flat options off the halfback delivered a dominant performance in Perth. Aided by near-flawless execution, the Wallabies controlled possession and the clock, pounding the All Blacks until the dam broke.
They received a numerical advantage after the red-card but tactically played to maximise it, allowing Nic White to control proceedings and run the All Blacks’ tight five off their feet. They put an immense load on the All Blacks defence that couldn’t be withstood, typified by White’s high-tempo presence.
The Exeter Chiefs’ halfback’s game was a masterclass showing for a playmaking nine, and he has to be one of the cornerstones of the Wallabies’ plans for a potential Bledisloe Cup turnaround and a successful World Cup campaign going forward.
Bill Ellis podcast – The All Blacks must bounce back at Eden Park:
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
25 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
4 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
4 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to comments