Analysis: The latest craze in 2018 pro rugby - the 'Mousetrap' switch play
This season the Southern Hemisphere has seen an increase in the number of teams running variations of switch plays – the Highlanders, the Sharks, the Reds in Super Rugby and now the Tasman Makos in Mitre 10 are deploying these with success.
One of these variations, the ‘Mousetrap’, has become the trendiest trick play of 2018.
The Switch Concept
A switch strike is usually a two-phase setup, using a settling first phase (usually a simple crash runner) to set up the ‘axis’ or ‘pivot’ ruck in the middle of the field from which the side can ‘swing’ play back with a quick switch, often with elaborate second-phase play.
Off a short 5-man lineout, the blind side following the first phase crash is usually going to hold a number of those tight five forwards resetting the defensive line.
Mismatches can be made be moving play straight back towards the touchline, using backs against the heavy-footed big men.
Having a shifty halfback that always requires attention helps – both Ireland with Conor Murray and the Highlanders with Aaron Smith run a lot of switch plays to utilise the delivery speed and superior passing skills of the halfback to exploit short side defence.
Here the Highlanders expose the Stormers reloading defence after Rob Thompson takes a crash ball in the midfield. Aaron Smith switches play back and the Highlanders run a pre-planned move with Ben Smith looping around to link with Waisake Naholo.
Tasman Makos are using these plays in Mitre 10 Cup, here using a wrap around to free up speedsters Will Jordan and Solomon Alaimalo down the short side.
The ‘Mousetrap’
The ‘Mousetrap’ is a variation of the switch play Tasman used above, this time using the halfback wrap-around as bait.
They will target the A-B ruck channel with a power runner, often a centre, looking to explode through vulnerable ruck defence with an inside ball from the forward performing the wrap-around pass.
The Highlanders used this in Round 1 of Super Rugby against the Blues, with centre Rob Thompson exploding for a 50-metre try.
The halfback’s wrap-around motion is the ‘cheese’, baiting the B defender to chase him, opening up the lane for the centre. The centre’s angle coming from the other side is usually undetected by those in and around the ruck.
The halfback will hopefully pull the B defender wide, while another player, the ‘Blockman’ has a dubious role to play in nullifying the A defender.
Both the Highlanders and Tasman use a prop who wedges off the A defender by engaging in a block for as long as possible. The ‘Blockman’ appears to be a lazy cleaner coming from the lineout, arriving at the ruck late and standing in an offside position but plays a deliberate role in interfering with the opposition for the next phase, impeding players from filling space.
The big body looks to inhibit the A defender as long as possible without being sighted by the referee. On Rob Thompson’s try, you can see the Highlanders ‘Blockman’ Dan Lienert-Brown making contact beyond the ruck to stop the player from filling the ‘A’ space before releasing him as the play begins.
Tasman’s prop Tyrell Lomax (3) positions in the same place on this ‘Mousetrap’, but with no ruck defence set by Southland he doesn’t need to do anything on this occasion.
In the first two switch plays used as examples above you will see the Prop perform this role, even though they didn’t run the Mousetrap.
If you watch Aaron Smith’s try against the Stormers again you will see reserve prop Aki Seiuli (17) fill the blocker role, tussling with a Stormers forward well after the ball has gone right, as well as reserve centre Matt Faddes (23) anticipating his ‘Mousetrap’ line, which in the end just becomes an inside support line.
The ‘Mousetrap’ is just one of a few options the side has from the midfield crash, and the defined role of certain positions like the Prop indicate that whatever play is actually run could be chosen on the fly, depending on how the defensive line sets up.
If the defence over commits coming around the corner, the wide switch strikes could be on. If they fail to space correctly around the ruck, the Mousetrap might be used.
Tasman’s hooker Andrew Makalio played a key role in both switch plays they ran, showing a high level of ball playing ability. If this indeed, a read-and-react option play, his execution is seriously impressive showing skills few front-rowers possess.
Don’t take the cheese
The first rule of defending the A-B channel – don’t leave the A-B channel.
You are supposed to defend space, not the man, which makes this decision a poor one by Waratahs lock Ned Hanigan (4), who takes the cheese and leaves his side exposed.
It is the same concept as zone vs. man coverage defensive backs use in the NFL. The A-B defenders are zone defenders and must control that area, allowing players to leave the zone horizontally but never vertically through it (you should be in the way in that case).
Hanigan, policing the A-space, chases the halfback and looks to get involved in the contact on Sharks hooker Armand van der Merwe.
The Sharks mousetrap is a little bit less clinical but no less effective as Lukhanyo Am gashes the Tahs for a long-range try. It was a play they frequently used this year to get Am into open space.
The Mousetrap seemed to have a high success rate of creating a line break this year. As it becomes more widely adopted, teams will have to ensure they have solid ruck defence following lineout play or these switch strike plays will continue to reap rewards. When faced with a Blocker, ruck defenders will have to ‘win’ that space before the ball is released, slipping over or under him avoiding getting locked into contact.
With the Northern season kicking off over the weekend, it will be interesting if the play is adopted by teams that like to run switch plays off a base 5-man lineout package and could be a trend to watch.
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
2 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 commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to comments