England vs New Zealand – Defensive Analysis Pt 1
Despite many protestations, 2019 was one of the most incredible Rugby World Cups to date. High drama from International Coaches not knowing the laws (Cheika) to Typhoons nearly derailing the entire competition. It also threw out some incredible games of Rugby along the way, Japan beating Ireland and Scotland, New Zealand walloping eventual winners South Africa and Uruguay beating Fiji possibly the second biggest upset in the World...
The Anatomy of a Try – Anthony Watson vs Wales 2020
There are fewer things more exciting than an England team that attack the gain line. With all their power runners in full flow England on their day are akin to a force of nature. There is (almost) nothing that can stand in its way. When I think of the all time great England Teams of the 90’s and early 00’s, the wonderful Rugby they played was first and foremost about knocking seven bells out of the opposition until they, just,...
England XV vs The Barbarians: June 2nd 2019
For all intents and purposes the game should’ve been an absolute mess. A star studded, underprepared, over imbibed Barbarians side played and slightly less well known, equally underprepared and less inebriated England Saxons side (England XV just doesn’t sound right). I learnt long ago not to get excited about these fixtures, either the international side is way too strong for the Barbarians, or so weak they get walloped....
Anatomy of a Try – Reiko Ioane vs Wales November 2017
A good attacking play is about using space when it's presented to you. That space can be created that in a multitude of ways by building phases and momentum, counter-attacking or a 1st phase set play (or a strike move). With the complexity of modern defensive systems you'd be forgiven for thinking that you need more and more complex moves to break them down, but in reality, you just need to execute simple things well and this...
The Anatomy of a (No)Try – Marika Koroibete
As a coach, there are lots of things to worry about but all fall into the single category of things you can control. The ref’s and their decisions aren’t one of them so post-game analysis has to focus on two things "what did we do well and what can we have done differently"? Koroibetes no try against England, while a highly debated and controversial decision, is in fact a fantastic example of where analysis can...