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How the Crusaders lineout defence stood up to be counted in ChristchurchLineout defence is one of the most important single aspects of defence as a whole. Analyst Nick Bishop explains how the Crusaders defused the vaunted Lions Lineout and primary attacking weapon in last weekend’s Super rugby final.
The importance of ‘reloading’ and understanding spaceHow do you find the spaces which Townsend claims are always there, at times when the defence is still likely to be cohesive and well-organized? Analyst Nick Bishop illustrates how important accurate ‘reloading’ from a stopping point can exploit ‘re-positionings’ mismatches and create space on the field.
To be, or not to be...Top 14 championsWriter Graham Jenkins gets an insight into the new ‘culture’ behind Castres surprise Top 14 championship win with Castres coach Joe El Abd.
How to make good choices after the breakWhat happens in the time and space after a break has been made is just as important, if not more so, than the initial breach. In his latest article, analyst Nick Bishop looks at the effect of right and wrong options after line breaks during the recent Crusaders vs Highlanders super rugby match.
Comfortable in chaos – train like a champion teamAs the dust settles on another epic northern hemisphere season, writer Graham Jenkins looks at Stuart Lancaster’s influence at Irish province Leinster as they set the bar in Europe last term with a brilliant blend of power, pace and skill that carried them to not only the Champions Cup title but also the PRO14 crown.
Attacking the 13 channel – the All Black way!In 2nd of the current pair of articles, Analyst Nick Bishop highlights how the All Blacks adjusted their attack to breakdown a well ordered French defence out wide.
Por qué los Jaguares están usando una línea biarticular en el Súper RugbyEn la ronda 11 del Super Rugby 2018, los Jaguares alcanzaron su primera victoria histórica en suelo neozelandés, y lo hicieron gracias a un tremendo esfuerzo en su scrum contra los Blues. Bajo el mando del nuevo entrenador Mario Ledesma (otro de la gran brigada del juego que basa el scrum con el talonador), se ven señales claras de que el equipo está recuperando el mojo de su fortaleza tradicional – el scrummaging. El analista Nick Bishop analiza las razones por las que esta técnica ha sido tan efectiva contra los Blues y contra otros grandes equipos.
Defending the 13 channel – the modern wayIn the recent 1st test of the series, the contest between New Zealand’s wide attack and the French defence of the same area promised to be one for connoisseur, and so it proved. In the current pair of articles, Analyst Nick Bishop first examines how France’s defence in the 13 channel succeeded initially. In next week’s second articl the reasons why the All Blacks’ attack wrested control.
How back-line communication helps ‘spot’ attacking opportunitiesIn the modern professional era, it is no longer enough to rely on one or two players – typically the numbers 9 and 10 – to see and make all of the attacking play. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how teams are building their backline ‘game intelligence’
Ever seen a kid rush into a sports shop to buy a cone?Working alongside head coach John Fletcher and Peter Walton, as part of England’s U18 coaching team Russell Earnshaw is on a mission to equip English rugby’s brightest talents with an unrivalled skill set and give them both the freedom to express themselves and the confidence to execute in any given scenario. Graham Jenkins spoke with him to better understand Russell’s mission and how they are going about achieving it.
Why the Jaguares are drawing a biarticular line in Super RugbyIn round 11 of Super Rugby 2018, the Jaguares achieved their first landmark win on New Zealand soil, and they did on the back of a huge scrum effort against the Blues. Under new coach Mario Ledesma (another of the big-scrumming hooker brigade) there are distinct signs that they are retrieving their mojo in their traditional strength – scrummaging. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at why it was so effective against the Blues and other Super teams.
Is the ‘jackal’ a protected species? – Southern Hemisphere (part two)Round 9 of Super Rugby has just been completed, approximately halfway through the regular season. Ideal stage for analyst Nick Bishop to judge whether a consensus point of balance has been reached in the refereeing of the new breakdown laws in the Southern Hemisphere.
Is the ‘jackal’ a protected species? – Northern Hemisphere (part one)What is the true value of a player who can compete for the ball with his hands on the ground, after a tackle has been made? The window for players to have a crack at the ball on the deck, looked to have shrunk in the phrasing of the Law 16 amendment. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how in practice, consistent refereeing of the new laws has proved far from simple and its effect on the world game. In part 1 of 2, Nick reviews the interpreation and effect on northern hemisphere rugby.
Major League Rugby proves the land of opportunityLatest edition of the US Major league kicks off next weekend, writer Graham Jenkins talks to ex Wasps and now San Diego Legions coach Rob Hoadley about the benefits of coaching overseas and in the US Major league.
Is it time for the 6 o’clock pass to return?Analyst Nick Bishop explores the relationship between individual passing techniques – passing by ‘rotation’ or by ‘extension’ and their ability to open up the width of the field on attack.
Top players must be hungry for homeworkPreparing the body for the physical demands of the elite game is just part of the challenge for the northern hemisphere’s finest with the mental preparation arguably just as pivotal in not only securing a victory but also prolonging a career at the top. Writer Graham Jenkins looks at what is expected of elite players outside the training pitch and gym as they prepare for big matches.
How T.J.Perenara influences the ‘new’ breakdown for the HurricanesThe new breakdown rules are having a strong impact on this year’s Super Rugby competition, as defensive coaches struggle to come up with new solutions to the erosion of the tackler’s influence on the ruck. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how the Number 9’s role is changing in securing the ball.
Winning “the race” & targeting weaknesses at lineout timeJase Ryan’s excellent series on lineout execution focuses on technique which can optimize your ability to win lineout ball quickly and easily. Analyst Nick Bishop observes how it works in a modern professional lineout at the elite end of the game, which combines accuracy at the throw & catch with smart calling to expose opposition weaknesses.
Does ‘retrospective refereeing’ do the game any good?England’s narrow 12-6 victory over Wales attracted an impressive UK TV audience of 6.4m to underline the appeal of what is billed as ‘rugby’s greatest championship’. Writer Graham Jenkins examines how rugby failed to capitalise on its popularity at Twickenham where the officials and not the players stole the headlines.
Constructing the lineout drive as an attacking setpieceAt the top level of the game, the lineout drive has become the set-piece weapon of choice for many successful teams, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
At international level, the best driving lineout in the world has probably belonged to Ireland over the past few years. Analyst Nick Bishop shows how Ireland have become expert at taking what the opponent gives them and manipulating the maul upfield.
Continuity the key to continued success for EnglandIn a sporting landscape where the news of a coach losing their job often appears as common as a kick off, word of one being rewarded with a contract extension certainly commands attention. In his latest article, Graham Jenkins evaluates Eddie Jones’ England head coach contract extension and what the succession plan could be.
Winning the fight on the groundJosh Syms’ excellent new series, focusing on techniques adopted by both sides at the breakdown, illustrates the amount of coaching time now devoted to body positions in contact. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how the Lions used it to great effect in the 2017 All Blacks series.
Why Scotland are sending opponents homeward ‘tae think again’Scotland have won 13 out of their 21 matches, and five out of their last seven under coaches Vern Cotter and Gregor Townsend. They have beaten Australia home and away and they have run the mighty All Blacks close. Analyst Nick Bishop looks what is behind their renaissance.
The benefit of coaching out of your comfort zoneRonan O’Gara is set to swap French Top 14 side Racing 92 for the Crusaders in New Zealand next month in a bold bid to improve as a coach and broaden his understanding of the game. Writer Graham Jenkins looks at O’Gara’s motivation for heading down under to the Crusaders.
How did the trial laws at the breakdown work out in end-of-year tour internationals?World Rugby’s trial laws for 2017 included some potentially game-changing alterations at the breakdown. The end-of-year tour internationals in November provided the first crucible in which to test the new laws at elite level. Analyst Nick Bishop examines their effect and how teams adjusted.
Money talks in World Cup bid processIn the wake of their success, even France acknowledged that the current financial model and the selection criteria make it almost impossible for any nation outside the deep-pocketed French and English to take on the role of tournament hosts. Writer Graham Jenkins explores the reality of the ‘voting’ and the future tournament prospects.
Is the All Blacks midfield beginning to gel?Analyst Nick Bishop considers whether the the current All Black’s midfield combination finally starting to ‘gel’. Or should we expect more changes before Japan 2019 WRC?
Rolling, rolling, rolling… why a double movement can cure the problem of isolationIn theory, the laws of World Rugby require everyone involved in the tackle on offence or defence to move away from the ball immediately. In practice there are two chances of this happening – ‘slim’ and ‘none’! Analyst Nick Bishop explains why.
Is the congested calendar slowly killing the game?Graham Jenkins considers ongoing debate about the physical and mental demands of what is quite clearly an over-congested season.
The All Blacks scrum and the theory of marginal gains“Aggregation of marginal gains… the 1% margin for improvement in everything you do.” Put all those little micro-wins together, and one day you will see an almighty change in the world outside them. Analyst Nick Bishop explores what Sir Dave Brailsford UK cycling approach has to do with the All Black’s scrum
