VIDEO ANALYSIS: Crusaders dominance vs Lions workrate
As the final game of the 2017 season approaches, we’ve reached the pinnacle of southern hemisphere club rugby. After 134 matches, we look at a few of the most recent, in preparation for the final.
The initial portion of our video concerns one of the first ports of call for any coach. The battle in the tight five, an area where any team can win or lose any game, will once again play a pivotal role in determining the outcome on Saturday.
Both teams have demonstrated their ability to construct solid, efficient platforms for play from the set piece. In our first few clips we see both teams win impressive penalties at the scrum. The winner of these battles will have a solid foothold in the game, and a massive advantage in terms of momentum.
Captain's photo with the Super Rugby trophy before tomorrow's final clash.#BeThere #MyLionsMoment #LIOvCRU pic.twitter.com/HlU7lII1FB
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) August 4, 2017
Whether they succeed at the scrum or not, we can be assured the Crusaders will bring some form of the dominance they’ve displayed so far to Ellis Park.
In their two playoff games so far they’ve contended with brutal conditions in a wet and windy Christchurch. Not even the torrential downpour during their quarter final date with the Highlanders hampered their takeover of the ruck.
In our first clip we see the Crusaders drive through phase after phase without any fear of losing possession. Controlled and targeted power in the forwards allows them to trundle on and squeeze past a helpless Highlanders defence and over the line.
Again in the following video, this time against the Chiefs and from a line out, they control the game through their tight five. Rolling a maul from the base they angle it slowly but assuredly toward the posts, opening up the space for the planned dart at the corner.
Moments like this can change games, and the attitude the two teams bring to the forward packs and seemingly impending Crusaders strength will shape the result.
If the Canterbury outfit travel to Johannesburg with the same dominant pack as we’ve seen so far, the Lions will have a problem on their hands. That being said, with conditions unlikely to be anywhere near those of Christchurch, the Lions won’t lie down.
They certainly haven’t done so thus far, they roared back in the second half last week to book their place in the final and our next clip shows a perfect example of the work rate that saw them do it.
As the Lions career down the wing, they look hell bent on scoring. So much so that when the ball is intercepted they’re all over it so quickly and so ferociously that they concede a penalty.
While a penalty might appear to be a negative, over the course of the game they can afford the lapse in discipline in exchange for momentum. Every time they slow or disrupt the ball at ruck time they impede their opposition’s attempts to score.
We’ve seen that the Crusaders can be relentless and dominant, but they’ve dealt with nothing like the energy the Lions brought to the breakdown against the Hurricanes. If the Lions can get a grip on the breakdown they’ll burst the Crusaders’ bubble and hope to enjoy the looser game they’re so good at.
Given the fact the Crusaders’ defence is near watertight, it seems that the more chaotic the attack the more suited the Lions are to this game.
Our first clip shows how the South African’s can use their speed to barrel through the line when it’s not fully set.
Jantjies is quick enough to feed Kriel while he still has room to aim an angled run at a smaller back, before forward cover arrives. There’s nothing Bosch can do for the Sharks and they concede to the quickness of the Lions’ reset.
In complete contrast is our next clip. We look back to New Zealand and the Crusaders’ semi final. Everywhere they go the Chiefs are hounded by red jerseys.
Do you think @izzy_dagg has scored a try like this before!? #SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/RHGd9PKU5e
— Super Rugby NZ (@SuperRugbyNZ) July 30, 2017
Unlike the last clip, the balance of reset times is completely in favour of the defence here. The home side are faster, more aware, and a step ahead their visitors. This allows them to apply so much pressure that they score a try with defence, not attack.
Sadly for the rest of Super Rugby however, the Crusaders are neither one sided or predictable. All they need is a sniff of opportunity and their heads up rugby is clinical enough to kill off any team.
On paper and on video there’s nothing between the two teams. We know where the battle will be, it’s up to the players to fight it.
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments