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Why teams kick so much, according to the Premiership's most frequent booters of the ball
Harlequins Marcus Smith, one of the most exciting runners in the English game, has put boot to ball 41 times in the opening two Gallagher Premiership fixtures which portrays a club – that has attacking rugby in its DNA – as one of the worst exponents of the kicking game that is disfiguring the sport.
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Despite scoring six tries – a seventh was ruled out by a forward pass – in a 49-29 win over Northampton, Smith kicked 23 times to claim top spot in the kicking statistics going into the next round of Premiership matches against Gloucester on Sunday.
Former All Black No10 Nick Evans is the Quins attack coach and insists to see every kick as an aimless hoof downfield in a bid to make the opposition knock on or put the ball out on the full is to ignore the different ways the tactic can be used to manipulate and break open defences.
Against Northampton, Quins made 16 clean breaks with Smith controlling their tactical play with those 23 kicks while scrum-half Danny Care added another 13. However, what unfolded at Franklin’s Gardens wasn’t another boring game of kick tennis but a hugely impressive ball in hand performance that saw Quins constantly fracture the Northampton defence.
Nathan’s Earle’s try involved eight passes, Mike Brown raced over from a clever short pass, Smith side stepped his way to the line after an Andre Esterhuizen offload while Alex Dombrandt finished off a neatly judged chip from Smith behind the home defence.
Evans told RugbyPass: “Kicking has a massive part to play in the game and gets a bad rap when it is poor without a plan, a clear principle and philosophy. Our group understands our DNA and the way we want to play and that kicking is an important part of the game at the present time.
”Defensive line speed is probably the catalyst for why there is more kicking because as a defence you want to take away time and space. To negate that you need to find that space behind the defence. With the current contest at the breakdown, people are trying to create other contests (for the ball) and an aerial one is another chance to get the ball back or create pressure.
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“We probably kicked as much as we had done against Exeter but fed off the mistakes made by Northampton with our kick chase. Marcus and Danny kicked well and we created pressure that way and we had the confidence to move the ball. Kicking rates across the board have gone up and it is the teams who are kicking more accurately that are getting successful results.
“Defences have got better, the players are better athletes and teams are not putting the numbers into rucks they were 10 years ago. Therefore, you have to find different ways of transferring pressure and that where kicking has evolved and why there is more of it.
“We put a lot of time into our kicking so there is clarity and, more importantly, everyone buys into it. If you have half the team that wants to run and pass and half that want to kick-chase then you are in a world of hurt. “
Evans believes creating quick ball from the breakdown – another area attracting plenty of attention – is key to manipulating defences and maximising the carrying power of the forwards. “It is tough and it does come down to speed of ball so the defence doesn’t have time to reset,” added Evans. “Defences are making it tougher for decision makers and 9 and 10s have to judge that on the back of momentum and need to go through a checklist in just one or two seconds.
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“If you are playing 10 or 12 phases in your own half then you are sapping the energy of your forwards. The forwards are doing all the tight work and then we have these carries we need them to make and if we are doing that in our own half then when we get into the opposition territory they don’t have any energy left. Defences are harder to break down and you have to more adaptive by having an attacking kicking play and more depth by being brave.”
Alex King, the former England outside half, is the Gloucester backs coach and recognises the varied attacking threats Quins will post on Sunday, including Smith’s kicking game. He said: “Marcus Smith is a player who thrives on the opportunities that present themselves in the game and he has a turn of speed, a chip game, a good passing game and a good relationship with Danny Care. That Care, Alex Dombrandt, Smith, Mike Brown axis has been really strong for them and they are well coached by Paul Gustard and his coaching team.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
1 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
5 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
5 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
36 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
36 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
16 Go to comments