← Previous Post
Next Post →

Scott Higginbotham v. Wales (2012)

Hugh Cavill June 13, 2012 34

No GravatarI thought the Wallabies’ first try on Saturday was a real cracker, one of the best we have scored in years.

Why? Well, I’m glad you asked.

It was intelligent rugby — attacking the Welsh in different channels at every phase. It showcased everything that Bob Dwyer loves to talk about: good support of the ball carrier, quick realignment, smart use of the football, great speed of execution and people running onto the ball at pace. It involved the whole forward pack and a couple of the backs too. I have broken it down by phase:

1. Barnes receives clearing kick after Horne drops the ball on the line. Passes it infield to AAC, who passes on to Digby. Digby steps one Welsh defender, takes the tackle and dishes a nice offload to AAC who makes another couple of metres. Pocock secures possession.

2. Genia clears to Barnes who gives a nice inside ball for Cooper Vuna. He beats a tackle and takes it well over the advantage line. Robinson and Kepu secure the ball.

3. Genia throws a pass to Sharpe standing flat about 3 off the ruck. He hits it up and the two Welsh defenders hold him up. However he is then hit from behind by TPN and Palu and driven forward about 5m. Kepu clears out Faletau and we have quick ball once again.

Sharpe takes it in midfield

4. Genia continues down the short side to Higgers, who receives the ball at pace and drives into the Welsh 22. Pocock cleans out and it’s quick ball yet again.

5. Genia shapes to dart but then throws a long flat ball to a charging TPN, who steamrolls one Welshman and drives a few more metres forward. Sharpe and Simmons clear out.

6. Genia goes back to the blindside, and throws a cutout ball to Benn Robbo, who is once again running onto the ball. He breaks out of one tackle and is brought down only 10m from the Welsh line. Pocock secures.

Great low body height from the cat.

7. The ball is slightly slower this time, and the Wallabies decide to spread it wide. Simmons gets a flat ball from Genia, and then dishes a nice pass to Barnes who is set behind the line. Barnes throws a long flat ball to Ioane, who opts to run back inside and takes the tackle just to the left of the uprights. Kepu cleans out.

8. Palu sees the lack of a pillar defender and goes himself from the base of the ruck. He makes 5m. The Welsh don’t contest the breakdown.

Palu spots the opening

9. Simmons once again sees a gap next to the ruck and darts quickly, making another 2m.

10. Kepu picks up immediately after Simmons goes down, this time attacking to the right of the breakdown. He takes it to only a few metres from the Welsh line, with TPN cleaning out.

11. Higgers takes the ball quickly, and attacks to the left. He is taken low early but manages to stay upright, where he evades a high tackler to reach out and score. He is driven late by Sharpe.

Try time

 

A well-taken try indeed. But it also showcased a few pressing issues with the Welsh defence. Their poor line speed allowed our forwards to make easy ground, especially in phases 3 to 6. They rarely contested the breakdown, meaning Sanchez had quick ball at almost every phase. Lastly their pillar/post defence was seriously lacking in the final three phases, and this was capitalised upon by Palu, Simmons, Kepu and Higgers.

Here is the video, with the phases marked in the bottom left corner:

 

So my question to you is this: was the try due to the attacking prowess of the Wallabies, the defensive lapses of the Welsh or a mixture of both? I lean towards the first option myself.

 

PS. I must apologise for the poor image quality. My computer is what they refer to in IT circles as ‘a piece of shit’.

TAGS » , , , , , ,
POSTED IN » Rugby, Wales, Wallabies
About the author: Hugh Cavill View all posts by
The artist formerly known as Barbarian, but now using my real name. A pretty average writer and an even worse player. Subbies struggler and Tahs fan. I know I've said it before, but 2013 will be our year. Trust me.

Related »

Review: Melbourne Rebels defeat NSW Waratahs

Review: Melbourne Rebels defeat NSW Waratahs

Tah-Hack-Gate: Who’s the Culprit?

Tah-Hack-Gate: Who’s the Culprit?

Friday’s Rugby News

Friday’s Rugby News

Preview – Aussie matches in Round 15

Preview – Aussie matches in Round 15

Discussion »

  • RugbyNoddy

    I know you’re not a Simmons fan mate, and he did miss some tackles. But have a look at the work he does in this try, disregarding the smart pass he does in the lead up to the 8th phase, and the pick and drive. He does a few really important, and very effective clean outs as well.

    • Hugh Cavill

      Very true. He has a couple of nice involvements here. This is the quick, loose style of rugby that I think suits him well. I just think when the play slows down he is often found wanting in the physicality stakes.

      • Mart

        I have not been a fan of Simmons at all either. But i thought this was one of his better games. I just don’t know if he is the right option to stick with.

        I thought Fardy has been the stand out lock in super rugby but it looks like I’m on my own there.
        His ball carries, clear outs and tackle count I’m sure would be greater than Simmons. (i haven’t checked the stats here and am ready to be proved wrong)
        Either way he has looked more of a dominant force around the field.

        Simmons/ Mcalman when Robbie makes a selection he sticks with it.

        • Blinky Bill of Bellingen

          I don’t think that you are on your own about Fardy.

          I’ve read quite a few who think he’s just what we need. A good honest toiler.

        • commonasmud

          Mart, I’m also with you. At the very least, Fardy should be on the bench because Dennis (who is a very good player) cannot provide cover at lock, whereas Fardy at least could pinch-hit in the backrow.

  • Mart

    Pretty much every player involved made a smart option.
    Refreshing

    • Newter

      Anyone else notice Higginbotham bludging on every phase except the very last one?

      • sph45

        I did notice this. But I had a different interpretation – he simply wasn’t needed in tight during any phase. Sometimes I felt our ball was a little vulnerable at the tackle but the support from the tight forwards and Pocock always arrived and the cleanouts were accurate and fast and the Welsh were so on the backfoot that even when Genia was forced to protect the ball they couldn’t exploit. I’m happy to be contradicted, but in 11 phases Higginbotham made one run that more than bent the defensive line and the pick and go that scored the try. Two players were not involved in this try – McCabe (although he did some cosmetic protection at two rucks) and Rob Horne, who was parked on the left wing. Good team try, all contributing. And had no problem with Higginbotham’s involvement.

  • Amanda

    Good analysis, Hugh, thanks :)

    I was very pleased to see the Wallabies actually put the effort in up front – it was clear they were there to play rather than wait for magic to happen.

    It was the basics, as you point out – asking questions, realignment and support that earned the try.

    But the Welsh seemed disinterested in the tackle and breakdown. I was puzzled by it at the time, that they just didn’t react after Palu made that first charge on the 8th phase. We looked pretty flat with not much happening in the 7th phase so there’s no excuse for it really. They actually did have a bit of time to set – we weren’t that quick. But watch what Warburton does at the ruck after Palu’s tackle – he’s completely ineffective and essentially leaves a gap open but uselessly pushing Genia, then flops on the tackle and leaves a door open for Simmons.

    We were awake, they were dozing.

    • Blinky Bill of Bellingen

      Likewise I was puzzled by the breakdown. I thought NH teams fancied themselves in that department. Certainly I have long considered it a weakness of ours.

      Left me wondering ‘were we good or were they poor’?

  • RedsHappy

    Very good piece Barb/Hugh. Revealing in many dimensions just as you say.

    I’d give it 60% Wallabies’ attacking skill, 40% poor Wales breakdown and defensive work (and a dose of poor match fitness too I’d say). I doubt we’d have scored that try in that way with the Saffas or ABs.

  • rugby smartarse

    watching this try live at the time I was thinking “Wales aren’t defending the pillars, attack there” and the truly refreshing thing for me is that the players also saw this opportunity, and exploited it. Too often I would expect the players play to a preconceived notion of how to build phases, but in this case they looked to be keeping their eyes up and taking opportunity

    • jrsONE

      “looked to be keeping their eyes up and taking opportunities”:

      you could almost say they ‘played what was in front of them’ – take that Deans critics! Also on show, the essential strategies of ‘scoring more points’ and ‘not losing’.

      • Garry

        Groan.

        And perhaps the mud & rain got in their eyes on Tuesday night, inhibiting the play “what’s in front of you” mantra.

        Maybe we have turned a corner due to Totality Tony’s sculpting (dare I dream?). But I’ve been down this road (‘click, click + boom) before during the last 5 years, so I’m wary of what’s around the corner.

        Well done WB’s for a fast paced win, it’s what we supporters love, but historically, also expect. We (and the rugby world) know there is much potential in our squads, and we’re bitterly disappointed when our performances are the joke of international rugby. It reflects poorly on those squads before you that have toiled courageously and overcome, which may be hard for Dean’s DNA to comprehend.

        Totality Tony, to our restart receives please.

  • Patrick

    I actually wonder if we could have scored on phase 7 by just keeping the ball going out wide – if Barnes drifts and passes and then Horne passes..oh wait

    I’m inclined to credit the Welsh defence, we took good options and kept moving at a good pace but we also really just made easy metres that we wouldn’t make against the ABs or Saffas. Against them we would have needed a few more off-loads and probably heavier support of our tight runners – let’s hope that they can sharpen that up over the next couple tests!

    • Pedro

      Was Horne outside Digby when he turned back inside?

      • RedMan

        Horne was out on the wing waiting to capitalise on everyone else’s good work and score in the corner. As that opportunity didn’t arise, he wasn’t involved.

      • Patrick

        I think it was AAC next receiver – but as per RedMan yes Horne was wider outside. In this case however he was right to be so given that Digby had come in, but it would have been preferable to have Digby outside. Then however he wouldn’t have got the ball it seems :(

        So I was wrong and that try wouldn’t have required Horne to pass – just to beat his man. It did look like a 20m overlap though and he surely could have beat the Welsh FB’s covering tackle.

        I think we could score quite a few more tries by simple catch, fix your man-and-pass rugby if we were more awake to those opportunities, and this was such one.

        • Pedro

          That what was so disappointing about Horne’s earlier “effort”, he ran diagonally into digby’s space, making the defender’s job easy and an off load unlikely.

  • Brax

    It could even be said they were playing what was in front of them! Have we finally cottoned on to Robbies philosophy?
    It was a very well executed try & I’d give most of the credit to the Wallabies here.

    • brumbie v

      No brax. Its only one win and your back on the bandwagon funny to watch.. We lose the next one and everyone wants deans head again. Wallabies apsolute joke

      • Queenslander

        I am also wary of the Deans trademark false dawn, want to see a bit more of the excellent play on the weekend extended over a longer periods than 80 minutes.
        P.S. Deans is a kook and needs to go regardless of the results against Wales

      • Brax

        Mate I’ve never been on any bandwagon. I’ll back my team come hell or high water, been a Reds supporter for 3 decades, I know the highs & lows inside out!
        You’ll not see me calling for a coaches head or having a good old whinge when we lose… it’s all a part of being a supporter in my opinion. I just worry about being entertained by the game I love, I’ll leave the hard decisions to the people in charge, afterall why worry about something you can’t change.

        BUT, the way things were described in the article (very well written I might add) it’s obvious that they were “playing what was in front of them” One of the first Robbie ism’s we heard.

  • RedMan

    The Welsh defense does fall apart a bit in the last few phases. But this was probably due to the Wallabies being able to keep up the mistake-free intensity.

    Also well done to them for having the spatial awareness to target the weak areas in the defense.

    • Brax

      Spatial awareness….. that’s another Robbie ism…. maybe, just maybe his “DNA” is starting to rub off on us.

      • Red Kev

        I don’t want to know what happens in the locker rooms.

  • Willus

    Was watching Warburton in the video and the ENTIRE time he was near ineffective. This is rather unusual from his normally high intensity standards. Phase 7 onwards he just near the ball and particularly phase 8 I thought he was very lucky to not have awarded the Wallabies an advantage for coming in from the side which I have seen Joubert give at that angle.

    • BigNose

      Not nearly so lucky as Simmons at phase 2. Never mind the gate, he pretty much jumped the fence and came back the other way.

  • Cutter

    The key to scoring the try was Palu getting behind the ruck which was a direct result of ruck defence which wouldn’t be acceptable at schoolboy level. Wales were generally passive in defence right throughout that passage. Perhaps that was a result of fatigue, but it remains true. As others have said, the ABs and Boks won’t allow that freedom and nor will the Argies (imo).

    I’m a Deans fan and I regard this as a false dawn. I don’t think we should measure ourselves against the Welsh team on display on Saturday. There are much better teams in world rugby than that including the Wales of 3 or 4 months ago.

  • rugby nerd

    The key was Palu’s body position as he picked up the ball one handed. He does this a lot to fool the opposition into not seeing him as a pick and drive threat. He gave the go forward from a stationary position. From there the try was a great example of quick pick and drive.

    Fantastic team try and a GREAT article!

  • Rugby Oracle.

    Fucking hell! Some of you “supporters” will never be happy. A team has a good win & it’s all “luck” or “the other team were tired” or “were off key”. Wake up motherfuckers!!!! YOur team just beat one of the best in the world & quiet spectacularly at that. Embrace it & celebrate it!!! It may not last long. Just ask the Welsh supporters for the last 30 odd years. Gwet behind your boys & stop demandng perfection…. because if that’s what you want you will NEVER be entertained. Whats the use of yearning for what you don’t have. Love what you do…….

  • Graeme

    What’s interesting about that try is that the final four phases, which were the four phases that secured the try, were played without MoM halfback Genia. It may have even been a planned move because in those last four phases he went in to defend the ball allowing a forward to pick and drive quickly over the top. I’m not an admirer of Deans, but that was a very clever and effective play, and not at all expected by the Welsh.

  • Graeme

    What’s interesting about that try is that the final four phases, the phases that secured the try, were played without MoM Genia playing at halfback. It was probably a planned play, because in those last four phases Genia went out of position to defend the ball allowing a forward to quickly pick and drive over the top of him. I’m not a Deans fan at all, but that was a clever and effective play, and not at all expected by the Welsh.

  • http://www.bobdwyerrugby.com Bob Dwyer

    Pedro’s comment on Horne taking Ioane’s space was accurate and informative. This is poor technique – see Manual “taking the overlap”, first session in the Essential Section.
    “Playing what’s in front of you” actually tells us nothing. There is no alternative to this on the rugby pitch, anyway and it not so much WHAT you do, it’s HOW you do it that counts = technique & skill application.
    Incidentally, SH’s body position for his try was good & low (good technique & a big improvement). Sharpie’s added drive was crucial, as it should be at every tackle contest.
    I thought that we were good – for a “first up” test for most – and Wales were way off the pace. Expect a bib improvement from them.

Close