Bob Dwyer Rugby Workshops

Friday May 7, 2010

Throughout the life of Super Rugby - about fifteen years - the champion team has always needed the attitude and ability required to play expansive, attacking rugby. Indeed, it has become accepted by all contestants that a team cannot aspire to the title unless it possesses this ability. In the early years, it was the (Auckland) Blues; then, the Crusaders were the dominant force, with the Brumbies and, more recently the Bulls, also taking a share of the spoils. Whoever the champions, in whichever period, they were always capable of scoring plenty of tries - and plenty of spectacular tries at that – with the champion team consistently averaging more than five tries per match.

The accepted truth of this required quality has become so firmly entrenched amongst the competing teams, that teams will impose on themselves the need to develop their expansive attack and their counter-attack, believing implicitly, that, without it, they cannot be ultimately successful.

And so last weekend, in the penultimate round of the normal matches, all of the possible contenders played an amazing brand of passionate, tough and exhilarating rugby. The best of the lot came last weekend, from the two teams who have shared the championship for the last five years – the Bulls, at home in Pretoria, versus the Crusaders, fighting for all they were worth to stay in the hunt.

There was an array of world’s best players on display – Matfield, Botha, Spies, du Preez, Steyn, Jack, Thorne, McCaw, Carter, to name a few. The Crusaders had not been at their best for the season, but, like the true champion team that they are, were keen to remind everyone of their real ability. The scene was set and the players did not disappoint.

From the outset, both teams showed a genuine desire to counterattack, with the speed of the retreating support players a real feature. Frequently there were as many as four players ‘on-side’ to provide the basis for a solid counter. Teams around the world should take note.

The Crusaders try came first, after only nine minutes, from such a counter, but from turnover ball. As they showed for the remainder of the match, they immediately pushed the ball wide, where the ageless and talented Brad Thorne ran well to position the excellent hooker, Ti’i Paulo. He made the most of his opportunity, showing surprising pace and power, and returned the ball to Thorne for the try.

The Crusaders were using both first phase ball and counter-attack ball across the full width of the pitch, often using both the blindside wing and fullback with an array of options. That these options worked so effectively was a credit to the quality of their technique in the fundamental elements of the game – straight running, alignment, accuracy of pass, speed of catch-and-pass, and support play. Teams around the world should take note of this also.

They soon ran in three tries – indeed before the half-hour – and racked up 19 points in a most impressive start. On the minus side however, their lack of discipline was giving opportunities to Morne Steyn and this kept the Bulls in touch to the tune of 9-19. Of particular problem for them was the scrummaging of All Black loose-head prop, Wyatt Crockett. Not for the first time, Crockett, like a lot of tall props, was having serious trouble in keeping his shoulders above his hips and the referee, Marius Jonker, was “having none of it”. Indeed, even after the Crusaders acknowledged this problem at the break and replaced Crockett with the starting tight-head, Ben Franks, the Crusaders scrum continued to have problems. Luckily for them, Jonker seemed more willing to accept Ben Franks’ left hand continually on the ground. Perhaps he’s grown used to this from All Black loose-heads.

The Bulls at this point seemed to grasp the value of the Crusaders strategy and quickly ran in two tries of their own. The first came when the turnover was won by Fourie du Preez with the ball spread through the excellent ‘hands’ of Olivier. The second was a gem and clearly demonstrated the amazing athleticism of the huge South African forwards. Botha, Rossouw and, finally, Matfield, all showed skill and pace to capitalize on Kirchner’s high kick and regather from fullback. The Bulls had stayed in touch and eventually led at the break, 24-19, despite the temporary absence of the yellow-carded Rossouw.

It was important for the Crusaders to score first in the second stanza and they did just this. Thorne was excellent again and this time made the opportunity for Paulo to score. Paulo looks a quality player in all aspects of the game. I’m sure that the All Black selectors have duly noted.

The lead changed no fewer than eight times in the second half, but neither team retreated from their ambitious approach and the excitement was intense. The Bulls scrum and lineout was always giving them a slight edge, but this was quickly countered by some productive work at the tackle contest by the Crusaders, which gave the visitors opportunity.

Morne Steyn kicked excellently all day, but his drop-goal, taken in the blink of an eye under extreme pressure, in the 75^th minute was an absolute gem. Daniel Carter, back to his outstanding best, also kicked two difficult, long-range second-half goals. The second of these, from 52 metres, gave his team a slender lead at 33-35, with only two minutes remaining.

The Bulls were not done, however, and scored the winning try right on the final whistle. The score was controversial, with the final pass appearing well forward - at first look. Replays, however, confirmed the referee’s decision, with the ball coming off a Crusaders defender and a Bulls player’s head, thence into the arms of the flying Hougaard.

Richie McCaw vehemently disputed the try, but he himself had contributed significantly to his team’s loss with penalties conceded in the 56^th and 61^st minutes, both right in front of the posts. The second of these offences, for a cynical knock down of the ball whilst on the ground at the back of the maul, should have been a clear yellow card. The All Black captain must soon come to terms with the fact that the laws of the game apply also to him.

It was a super, thrilling game and, in the words of one scribe, was “one of the finest games of all time, never mind this year.”

My final note. Richie McCaw was not nearly so upset when he ( brilliantly, I might add ) caught an outrageous forward pass to score the winning try against the Wallabies in Hong Kong a couple of years ago.