Bob Dwyer Rugby Workshops

Liberty Stadium. Friday, 1^st January. 2010.

Ospreys 26 – Cardiff 0.

Whatever New Year’s resolutions the Cardiff team may have made, certainly none materialized at the Liberty Stadium on New Year’s Day, as the Ospreys kept them scoreless and moved themselves, temporarily, to the top of the Magners League table.

The Ospreys are a side capable of defeating the very best and Cardiff were always going to need to be at their very best to have any chance of recording a victory. Alas for their faithful band of supporters, they were a long way from that. Certainly they began with enthusiasm and applied excellent early pressure, but, whereas Cardiff could not turn pressure and field position into points, Ospreys did so, on their very first visit into Cardiff’s territory, with a drop-goal from Dan Biggar.

Soon after, Ben Blair missed from a handy penalty position, which would have lifted Cardiff spirit, but nothing was going the way of the visitors. A very tough penalty, which may have been more accurately awarded TO the Blues, went against them. Then, from a Marty Holah executed turnover at the tackle, referee James Jones failed to spot that Tommy Bowe was well in front of Biggar’s kick ahead, and on the quick recycle, the Ospreys found enough space on the left for Nicky Walker to score.

At 8 to nil, Cardiff needed to regroup and fight their way back into the match. In fact they went the other way. Their enthusiasm waned and their play deteriorated. Great player though Gethin Jenkins undoubtedly is, I saw no signs – albeit from a distance and via my tv set – of the leadership needed to get his team back on track.

Within ten minutes, Ospreys were over the line again. First, from the scrum, Sam Norton-Knight was almost farcically wide and allowed the gap for Dan Biggar. He never needs a second invitation and took the gap, off-loaded perfectly and from the quick recycle again, it was through the hands to Walker again for his second try of the match.

I thought that Cardiff played poorly. How they must wish for another Xavier Rush, because, for a time, it seemed that he was their only hope. Additional drive and enthusiasm came from Gareth Thomas, in place of the injured Tom Shanklin, and then, all too late, from substitutes  Paul Tito and Gareth Williams.  These three players all seem worthy of starting places. Thomas was always capable of the half break, ran straight and passed well – a good start for a mid-field player. Williams carried well and often, and with enthusiasm. Tito is a quality player with tons of courage and aggression. All of these qualities are needed by Cardiff.

I am always amazed at the lack of enthusiasm shown by some teams when running back to support the ball-receiver, following an opposition kick. How is it that the ball chasers can generate so much more pace? They always have further to run, coming from a position behind the kicker, but, as was generally the case in this match, the Ospreys chasers arrived before and in greater numbers than their opponents. The difference is mindset; desire is vital. Cardiff lacked the desire necessary to give them any chance.  I made a note for myself during the game, “Cardiff are doing a lot of walking and a lot of talking to the referee!” This was disappointing.

For the winners, Dan Biggar continued his excellent form. He controlled field position excellently and was always a threat to the Cardiff line. Their backrow of Collins, Holah and Jones was world class and they were instrumental in laying the foundation for the win.

I am paranoid about correct technique in all aspects of the game. In fact, my Coaching Manual is  based on this. In this game, Jerry Collins gave a text book lesson on the execution of perfect technique at the tackle contest. He enters from behind the ball, parallel to touch with good body-position and powerful leg-drive – on his ball or his opponent’s. Most of the time, he is successful - as perfect technique will always be.

Cardiff’s coaching staff should put together a compilation video of his play, study it and then show it to their players!