Analysis: How Tasman are transforming Will Jordan into the next great All Black fullback
The 20-year-old fullback has flourished in Leon MacDonald’s ‘shark attack’ system since arriving to the Mitre 10 Cup last season.
The rookie was one of the most exciting players in the competition last year, breaking tackles and running riot across the provincial scene.
After making the Crusaders squad, Jordan sat on the sidelines and wasn’t seen at all during Super Rugby. Back with the Makos, he is proving his debut season was no one-hit wonder with blistering play.
Jordan is a fullback with the complete range of skills, scorching speed, and best of all – a prescience when it comes to finding a gap or the try line. With such a damaging strike weapon at the back, Tasman has found many ways to get him involved.
Tasman’s unbalanced ‘Shark attack’ system
The Makos run an ‘unbalanced’ 2-3-2-1 pattern as their main phase play structure.
If you cut the field in half, you have a 5-3 split of your 8-man forward pack, hence why it is ‘unbalanced’ based on man numbers.
Standard modern day systems (1-3-3-1 and 2-4-2) will both generally be balanced with a 4-4 distribution of the forwards. If you draw a line down the middle of the field, you could see even numbers on each side but here you have a 5-3 split.
In this attack system, it becomes more uneven when you consider spacing.
Those five forwards are usually spread over 30-40% of the width of the field, with the other three over the remaining 60-70%. During play, you end up with a ‘strong’ short side and a ‘weak’ open side.
The ‘weak’ open side just means that protection is limited to just three forwards across the wide space. If the ball goes to ground in a tackle, backs have to be capable of cleaning.
On the other side, however, with five forwards in a short space, the ball can be controlled by playing back-and-forth within the short side off 9.
Tasman are looking to play a 3-man pod back to the middle off 9 after stretching wide through the backs. They have another two forwards in the current ruck as cleaners, who will reload with some backs for a short side option on the next phase.
All five forwards are within a rather condensed space, leaving the remaining three other forwards wide to the left in the ‘weak’ open side.
The three remaining forwards are visible in this example after the pod of three has carried and set a ruck. They have a two-forward setup outside Mitch Hunt (10) and the last runner in isolation.
We can see just how much width is available to the left for this open side phase play.
This pattern creates opportunities for the backs to use those massive open sides, providing a platform for a strike weapon like Jordan to wreak havoc on the edge.
He might pop up behind the two-forwards (below) or stay wider, one-man inside the winger like a traditional fullback.
https://giphy.com/gifs/fWfZGTkJy8GNUJ5n5q
Either side of the field can be ‘strong’ or ‘weak’ and Tasman float between the two depending on where play restarts or how they get the ball.
The backs are afforded frequent opportunities with expansive room to work with, but the Makos can still play what is in front and don’t always have to fire to the edge when going to the ‘weak’ open side.
Building on the above example, when the 10 utilises the two-man pod as a runner, instead of releasing the backs, the lurking back (13) can join to create a two-man clean to set a midfield ruck.
Around every corner, the Makos have a surprise waiting.
The three-man pod from the ‘strong’ side can re-load and Tasman can switch the point of attack back towards that way with more designed set plays.
Against North Harbour, they switch play and use a ‘trigger’ release from the three-man pod to play Hunt out the back.
Jordan tries to pop off his shoulder but interrupts the line of Lomax (3) resulting in an error. When they run the same play against Counties, they iron out the problems and Jordan explodes on the outside before setting up Wyatt Crockett with some impromptu dance moves.
We are getting into the dizzying array of pet plays that Tasman have installed into their pattern around the distribution skills of Hunt and speed of Jordan.
Controlled by young maestro Mitch Hunt, the Makos have built the most frenetic attack in the competition and one of the more innovative structures in World Rugby.
It is common to see Jordan pop up in both channels – playing the short side or getting room out wide. His ability to dodge defenders at the line with quick feet or use quick hands makes him a potential playmaker in this situation as well, and he has no troubles playing flat at the line.
https://giphy.com/gifs/64anwqDi5dJHodVvPf
On this short side raid, Jordan takes a loose pass and is able to wriggle for a second lunge, scoring a try out of nothing. On another occasion he fires a long ball in one catch-and-pass motion.
https://giphy.com/gifs/SKT79I2vnGxTgs6SqE
This is just scratching the surface of how Will Jordan is utilised in the Makos game, showing the ways they introduce him in their ‘strong’ short side and ‘weak’ open side phase play.
Their set-piece platform is another rabbit hole of attacking possibilities, with strikes off first, second and third phase they can potentially run. We detailed a couple of them here, breaking down the ‘mousetrap’ play.
Tasman’s system finds a way to maximise Jordan’s skills, many of which lead to big plays for the side. He had a whopping 209 run metres on five line breaks against Counties, beating nine defenders for good measure.
He is currently one of the top three or four most exciting prospects in New Zealand Rugby, on a path to play at the highest level. There are shades of Cullen with his line running, not seen since the Paekakariki Express was tearing apart teams in the late 90’s.
This is a special talent just getting started, and the scary part is he hasn’t even hit Super Rugby yet. The Crusaders have the heir to Ben Smith waiting in the wings, and potentially the next great All Blacks fullback.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
17 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
17 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
17 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
17 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
17 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
17 Go to comments