Martin's Rugby Coaching Forum

We are facing a team on Friday that has big forwards and rucks very well. They use the 3 man pods and attack, attack, attack. Could you give me any insight in order to prepare our boys to defend against this system. We played them earlier in the year and lost 30-5. Appreciate your prompt response .

Thank you.

Ed O'Rourke

Seems like you are up to a well organised team. What I can think of disrupt this organisation. I would look at: when is the 3-man pod formed? Base of a maul/ruck? When can you attack the pod. Definitely discuss this with the referee before the game! When is a ruck formed?

Individually: look at positions of defenders next to the breakdown. Agressive move forward in attack, steal one or two meters, do not allow them momentum. Body angles.

What I would discuss with the team is the 30-5 defeat and what would happen if the team does not do something special. Focus on an agressive defensive style where you would for sure get some penalties for coming in too soon rather than being run over.

Good luck Friday....

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Martin, Rugbyhead