Frustration, field position and Reece Hodge can be the answer for the Wallabies
The Wallabies can defeat England in their quarter-final at Oita Stadium this Saturday if they can frustrate the English out of the rhythm and the areas in which they like to play the game.
It is far easier said than done, but if the Wallabies select the now-available Reece Hodge, their chances of doing so improve.
I say this as Hodge’s ability to not only punt the ball further than most, but also his ability to kick penalty goals from over 50 meters could make him an effective weapon if used properly as part of an overall strategy designed to agitate England.
Eddie Jones’ side enjoys grinding down the opposition through their strong set-piece and powerful ball-runners through the likes of Billy Vunipola and Maro Itoje, yet seldom do they use such tactics to work their way out of their defensive zones for multiple phases.
Like any tactician worth their salt, Jones likes England to be constantly applying the pressure of field position and does so through the kicking games of fly-half George Ford and inside centre Owen Farrell.
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If selected, England will look to single out Marika Koroibete with contestable high balls, as it was shown against Wales the powerful Wallaby winger is built for ground warfare only.
Therefore, I suggest the Wallabies select a back three who can defuse such high ball tactics, but can also kick long-distance in return to counter such tactics.
Australia, in the past several seasons, has failed to deliver as a true counter-attacking side from such opportunity. In fact, I would suggest counter-attack is something the Wallabies struggle with.
They traditionally do look to run the ball back at the opposition from a deep kick if there is space to do so.
An Irish rugby legend has called on @IrishRugby coach Joe Schmidt to have the "moral courage" to bring young fullback Jordan Larmour into the side. #RWC2019 #NZLvIRE https://t.co/H597oD01YK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 16, 2019
Israel Folau did this for numerous seasons, and since his departure, Kurtley Beale and Dane Haylett-Petty have often both followed suit. I suggest England would expect the Wallabies to do so again this weekend.
So, why wouldn’t the Wallabies do what England neither expect nor want them to do and kick long back into their opponents’ 22 and follow up with a strong line chase looking to force the English into error in their half?
If you were the Wallabies, would it not be more advantageous to expel your energy on keeping England down in their half than trying to run the ball out of your own?
If Michael Cheika were to employ such counter-tactics to the English kicking game, it effectively limits England’s ability to use their ‘choke’ tackle and line speed as they like to do so in asserting their authority at the collision.
While I am sure the inevitable long kicking ‘tennis game’ would ensue for a period, yet it may also invite the likes of Jonny May and Elliot Daly, both of whom are dangerous runners of the ball, to counter-attack from deep within their half.
This where the Wallabies must shut the English down, and can do so with a fast yet connected defensive line in kick chase.
Such a tactic would frustrate England, and may force the game to be played more in the middle of the field rather deep in the opponent’s half.
This too could play into the Wallabies’ hands, as if penalties are given away in such an area, they can call upon Reece Hodge to start taking shots at goal.
New Zealand Rugby chairman Brent Impey has compared the way in which Northern Hemisphere unions treats Pacific players to that of 'colonialism' ?https://t.co/1MSDSfeyH8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 16, 2019
Although Hodge may not have the most accurate boot, what he has is the distance in his kicking, and if he does miss the penalty goal, the game will likely have to re-start from an English kick-off from the 22, thus giving the Wallabies possession again with England defending in their half.
As the Welsh illustrated to the Wallabies in their pool match, one must keep the scoreboard ticking over, and having a long-distance goal-kicker at your disposal enhances a team’s ability to do so.
If the Wallabies find themselves leading or within seven points of the English with 25 minutes to go, that is when they can unleash the bench and look to exploit the gaps that tend to exist in the latter parts of the game.
However, if they try to run over England in the opening 20 minutes, I think that will play right into English hands as they want the collision early.
The Wallabies should look to do everything possible to disrupt and prevent the rhythm he English enjoy to play.
My Wallabies side
1. Scott Sio
2. Tolu Latu
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Izack Rodda
5. Rory Arnold
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Michael Hooper
8. Isa Naisarani
9. Nic White
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Jordan Petaia
12. Samu Kerevi
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Reece Hodge
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves:
16. Jordan Uelese
17. James Slipper
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Adam Coleman
20. David Pocock
21. Will Genia
22. Matt To’omua
23. Marika Koroibete
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments