The strategic ploy used by both Ireland and France in their wins over the All Blacks
In both the All Blacks‘ losses to Ireland and France, it was the opposition who scored the first try to jump out to early leads.
That was a result of a clear tactic to turn down available shots in goal to attack the All Blacks and pile on pressure according to former All Black hooker James Parsons, who said that both sides were ‘relentless’ in their pursuit of tries in the first half.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Parsons highlighted the trend of turning down points early to take an all-or-nothing approach.
“The one thing we do have to step back and have a look at, is the way the French and the Irish applied pressure,” Parsons said.
“What I mean by that is they came with a clear plan and I don’t know if the French copied Ireland, but they stopped taking their points.
“We normally see teams take the points early against the All Blacks and they try to build that scoreboard pressure, but they were relentless both times in those first forty minutes in the sense that they kicked to the corner.
“They said ‘right, we are going to suck some energy out of you’, and it’s all-or-nothing. It’s a bit of gamble, but it’s an all-or-nothing play.”
In Dublin, Ireland fell behind to a 5-10 halftime deficit but had dominated the possession and territory stakes after using the tactic to aggressively take on the All Blacks.
A 12th minute penalty was kicked to the corner by Jonathan Sexton to attempt their first maul. After drawing another advantage, some quick hands to the edge found James Lowe who was able to score in the corner.
With the score at 5-3, Ireland again turned down a kickable three to apply more pressure after winning a scrum penalty in the 23rd minute. They would enter the All Blacks’ 22 six more times in the half only to be repelled each time with no reward for their efforts.
Right on halftime, Ireland turned down multiple shots at goal in search of a second try but a poor line out throw left them with nothing.
The strategy paid dividends in the second half when they struck in the 44th minute and again in the 51st after the heavy toll of defensive work seemed too much. Once they had a seven point lead, the tactic changed.
“Then, both sides [France and Ireland], switched to taking points in the second half because they knew they had that lead and they just had to chip away in threes and keep that scoreboard building to the point where the pressure was enough for the All Blacks to keep chancing their arm,” Parsons said.
“They [All Blacks] obviously did chance their arm [against France], the turning point of not nailing that kick chase and then the French going all the way back and Ardie unfortunately getting penalised and yellow carded.
“They knew if they scored there it would be a tough place to come back from, so it was an all-or-nothing play from the All Blacks. That’s due to the way they structured their game, the French, Ireland did the same.
“It puts your skillset, and I suppose your mindset, under pressure. You’ve heard Fozzy, Sam Whitelock and Cane all talk about composure in the big moments, I think the lesson they will take out of this for all the young guys that they’ve blooded this year is going to be massive for them, having now experienced it and not overcome it.
“They’ll be having those feelings and having those discussions, ‘how do we best get around this next time so that we come out the other end of these games’.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“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.
10 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.
24 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.
10 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 comments