Yeah we have been doing it all year, can tell it’s a part of Fitz game plan now.
Seems a silly tactic but I understand it.
They're not straight into defenders though. I don't have a problem with the timing, moreso with the lack of options when he does it.
Why is it silly ?
Not silly. Smart.
Ha ha! Would love to do that mate! Unfortunately though, I may have been ghosted by the great man - I did email him about coming to the Captains run on Wednesday as he had suggested that to me in the previous email. I emailed asking what time, but he never responded. But perhaps he had a few other things on his mind!Not silly. Smart.
Best way to end a set = score a try
Next best way = get the ball back
Next best way = tackle them 1m out in the corner
BUT doing any of those things generally brings some risk with it. In general you can't score or get repeat sets, or tackle them 1m out regularly without kicking, or stringing together a few passes. Doing those things close to the line quite often result in a mistake (handover at the 10) or the other team either getting a 7 tackle set, or running 90+ metres to score.
So what's the next best way to end a set? Get tackled 1m out in the corner.
It's tackle 0 rather than tackle 1, but they are 99m from the stripe, you get some time to set your defensive line, and you can get up quick and bash them on plays 1 and 2 because you know which way they are running. Better yet, this play beings with it zero risk.
It's probably not in the spirit of the game, and would look ridiculous - but if some coach decided that he wanted to end his sets by having his second rower play the ball half a metre out without a dummy half, let the opposition dive on it, and then have two players lay on him - that would actually give you a better result. Tackle 1, 1m out, in the corner, off a slow play the ball. Now that would be a silly tactic.
@Chad send this to Fitz and tell him "Burgo said you are welcome"
Even trying for a repeat set - especially when leading late - is becoming an increasingly risky move. Teams are taking short dropouts and getting the ball back fairly frequently these days (my guess would be about 30% of the time) so now it becomes tackle 0 in the corner with a set line versus a 70% chance of getting the ball back versus a 30% chance of tackle 1 10-15m out without your defensive line set.
Everyone would rather get a repeat set or try, it's the consequences of 7 tackle set or return against broken line we don't like.
Bummer. Hopefully you get to a Captain's run eventually.Ha ha! Would love to do that mate! Unfortunately though, I may have been ghosted by the great man - I did email him about coming to the Captains run on Wednesday as he had suggested that to me in the previous email. I emailed asking what time, but he never responded. But perhaps he had a few other things on his mind!
that would be a good result too.
I Don’t think it’s that deep -
I'd be interested to see which teams are actually doing this the most, and in which situations. I reckon if we did it in the first 5 minutes it's a bit too conservative, but when holding a lead late it is something lots of teams do. Sharks last night were just winding down the clock for much of the second half with kicks to corners, and this type of play.
Kicks to the corners are always and will always be a smart tactic - I think closer to the line is where it would be interesting to see which teams do what
Yeah - that would definitely be something that is available to teams/coaches.
Agree re Smart however there is one problem with this and that is we have a bad habit of giving away cheap penalties on the first few tackles for offside.Not silly. Smart.
Best way to end a set = score a try
Next best way = get the ball back
Next best way = tackle them 1m out in the corner
BUT doing any of those things generally brings some risk with it. In general you can't score or get repeat sets, or tackle them 1m out regularly without kicking, or stringing together a few passes. Doing those things close to the line quite often result in a mistake (handover at the 10) or the other team either getting a 7 tackle set, or running 90+ metres to score.
So what's the next best way to end a set? Get tackled 1m out in the corner.
It's tackle 0 rather than tackle 1, but they are 99m from the stripe, you get some time to set your defensive line, and you can get up quick and bash them on plays 1 and 2 because you know which way they are running. Better yet, this play beings with it zero risk of a mistake, 7 tackle set, or opposition runaway.
It's probably not in the spirit of the game, and it would look ridiculous - but if some coach decided that he wanted to end his sets by having his second rower play the ball half a metre out in the corner with no dummy half, let the opposition dive on it, and then have two players lay on him - that would actually give you a better result. Tackle 1, 1m out, in the corner, off a slow play the ball. Now that would be a silly tactic, albeit an effective one. Can you imagine us fans losing our **** if the Sharks did that 5 times in a game - deliberately?
@Chad send this to Fitz and tell him "Burgo said you are welcome"
And shoulder charges on the 1st tackle
I realli like that play because of the reasons you said. I think it also frustrates the other team.Not silly. Smart.
Best way to end a set = score a try
Next best way = get the ball back
Next best way = tackle them 1m out in the corner
BUT doing any of those things generally brings some risk with it. In general you can't score or get repeat sets, or tackle them 1m out regularly without kicking, or stringing together a few passes. Doing those things close to the line quite often result in a mistake (handover at the 10) or the other team either getting a 7 tackle set, or running 90+ metres to score.
So what's the next best way to end a set? Get tackled 1m out in the corner.
It's tackle 0 rather than tackle 1, but they are 99m from the stripe, you get some time to set your defensive line, and you can get up quick and bash them on plays 1 and 2 because you know which way they are running. Better yet, this play beings with it zero risk of a mistake, 7 tackle set, or opposition runaway.
It's probably not in the spirit of the game, and it would look ridiculous - but if some coach decided that he wanted to end his sets by having his second rower play the ball half a metre out in the corner with no dummy half, let the opposition dive on it, and then have two players lay on him - that would actually give you a better result. Tackle 1, 1m out, in the corner, off a slow play the ball. Now that would be a silly tactic, albeit an effective one. Can you imagine us fans losing our **** if the Sharks did that 5 times in a game - deliberately?
@Chad send this to Fitz and tell him "Burgo said you are welcome"
Yeah, that definitely needs to improve. Those mistakes undo everything good.
That’s why I reckon we do it, because the coach doesn’t believe the halves have that kick in their game. That’s ok for now, but I would hope this is only until they can add the kick into their game. It’s a pretty standard skill for a half imo.
