It has finally ended, take-aways from the RWC

Finals

Congrats to the South African Rugby team, they have won the final in hard a battle! I have got to admire the whole Moneyball approach they have taken: in four finals they only scored two tries. Apparently scoring tries is not important in rugby anymore. They perfected this No Risk gameplan even more in this RWC, even bigger forwards, more scrumming to milk the penalties, the 7+1 bench, kicking every ball, deliberate knock-on (potential penalty is better than a receiving a try) and develop an ‘occupy space under the high ball’ tactic. All to force the mistake of the attacking team.

I loved how Galthier and co. pieced together a gameplan based on the old principles of attacking space and keeping the ball alive, and I had high hopes. But it now feels like this is just that: old.

Stuff to think about

I explain rugby to parents new to rugby like “you get the ball, you move into the gap, defenders are chasing you, the excitement begins”. I was at this club last week and saw how an U12 coach had made pairs and had them kick the ball for 10 minutes. Is this now how rugby is moving forward?

Semi-finals

The hopes of the running rugby style now rest on New Zealand who in true style beat the tired Argentinians.

The second quarter final really makes my point: two teams just giving the ball to each other and force (and celebrate) the mistake of the other team: South Africa only created one try out of kick-to-the-corner-catch-and-drive scenario while England only managed a drop-goal from 40 meters.

Stuff to think about

William Webb Ellis allegedly ran with the ball and scored the try rather than to kick it back. Let us rename the trophy!

Quarterfinals done

William Webb Ellis caught the highball and ran forward to score a try. But it looks like it is easier to defend than attack. For me the loss of France represents a direction that rugby is moving into that I do not like a lot. RSA were playing down the clock and with one minute left Faf even kicked that ball deep to the French try-line. But hey, hats off to RSA who masterminded their Risk & Reward gameplay based on the stats of the modern game and. Loved how Galtier and co pieced together another style, hope they keep at it.

Ian Foster said after the game “We knew what to expect”, disciplined defense gave them the victory against Ireland and their planned game. What is next for Ireland?

During my RWC holiday in France fell in love with the Argentinian supporters, hope they do well against Engeland!

Stuff to think about

Is our Rugby Union game still refeerable?

Round 5

Last pool round and some exciting matches, Portugal did good against Fiji, Samoa figured their chances against England. We were in Nantes and saw the Welsh battling it out with the Georgians and Japan keeping up with the Argentinians. The French supporters in the stadiums seem to support the underdog all the time!

Gamesmanship? – finding that little difference? – playing the referee? Not sure the Irish game is what I like about rugby: the Hooker taking that little step before his throw, mastery in delaying the ball: the referee will tell you “No hands, ruck!” instead of penalising you, side entry? What are your thoughts?

Eye-opener

Fiji receiving a nine million budget from World Rugby, Georgia “just” one…

Round 4

Another exciting week gone by in a flash! We watched the Argentinians edge out Chili who started strong but could not keep up. They kept working hard and earned the respect of every fan in the stadium when the scored their first try in a world cup. Australia showed some heart in their win over Portugal (..) Georgia were muscled out by the Fijians.

Stuff to think about

Having been involved in the academy program, I feel with these tier 2 nations, you did everything you could but you have to deal with the fact that it is not even near enough. How can Chili compete with Argentina who are now in that four nations for a couple of years and get the money out of that. A bit like Italy getting 40+ million out of 6N competing with Georgia.

Round 3

Dupont out! French newspapers all about this news. Personally I think it should not matter, Lucu + Jaliber is the Bordeaux pairing. Australia did well, but not 2×40, Eddy under a lot of flak, not sure I would have stepped in 6 months ago…. Superstructured Ireland edged bomb squatting RSA. We were at Argentina v Samoa and surprised that Argentina tried to muscle out the Samoans, the Argentinian supporters are something else though! So everything to play for in that second spot in pool D! Portugal drew against Georgia, did not see that coming. 

Lessons Learned?

Samoa left 9 points from penalties kicks on the score card, could have won. RSA did the same – with very far out penalties though. So, will it be Ramos / Jaminet who will win it for France?

Round 2

Okay, Australia lost to Fiji, Wales just edged past Portugal, Tonga could not keep up with Ireland and the French supporters in the pub were just as interested in the game as the players seemed to be. South Africa and New Zealand showed how that is done!

We were in Nice for the England – Japan game. Japan kept up with the English, also because their play was a bit sloppy. Not many English players doing a round after the game, felt a bit loose…

Eye Opener

I think Korea invented the jumpshot in Basketbal, there is the Flosbury flop in Athletics, we now also have the Joe Marler header! Play to the whistle!

Round 1

The anticipated opener, France had a nervous start, early injury concern and a crazy break by Rieko with a kick pass to the wing by Beauden for a shocking early score (why put Beauden on 15?). In the end it all came good for the home team – give away 11 penalties against a team that has Thomas Ramos… Let’s get this party started!

We all thought Argentina had a chance against England, even a bigger chance when Tom Curry got red. But somebody took control and Jannie-de-Beer-ed Argentina out of the game! Note: add rugby historian to coaching staff.

Than Scotland……. South Africa big players, kick all their possession, do not try to create anything and do anything to slow your ball down – referee will only warn you right? “Just a knock-on” when they killed a try-scoring opportunity and then a dangerous tackle? People bump into each other in rugby referees. So, when this kind of rugby will win you a world cup, it would be very disappointing to me. 

Japan – Chili was the game I watched in Toulouse. Wonderfull supporters from far away and the remaining seats were filled up with rugby crazy Toulouse supporters. Lovely atmosphere. Potentially career ending late tackle was “Just a yellow” as with the head-to-head in a tackle. Weird that it was a red in Marseilles…..

First round done, looks like a NZLD – RSA Quarter and England back in it!

Lessons learned

How clever was that little run of Jalibert into space, keep the defenders on the inside, timing the pass to Penaud to finish it off. Ntamack, Jalibert, Drouin, Carbonel, these French 10’s know all about exploiting space.

Where is the “X” you need to run to? How does Jaliber know? Your learn this in Pierre’s side line start exercise.