Dwyer's View

Clermont Outstanding

Marcel Michelin Stadium. Saturday, 16^th Jan. 2010.

Clermont Auvergne 27 – Ospreys 7.

  A few weeks back, in a review of an earlier Clermont Auvergne match, I remarked that “they are not very far away from being a very good side.” After yesterday’s hard fought, but convincing win, it was the Ospreys coach Sean Holley who remarked that “we saw a team today who I think will go a long way in this competition.”

 Ospreys were obviously up for the game, and it was immediately clear that they had prepared well. They exploited the wide #13 channel in the first minute for the break by Lee Byrne, who put Tommy Bowe away for the line. Bowe unfortunately stumbled, lost the ball forward and the try was lost, but Clermont would have been shocked. After managing to withstand a Clermont break out when Ryan Jones astonishingly managed to stay with Napolioni Nalaga in a 50 metre dash to the loose ball in-goal, the Ospreys’ backline repeated the first dose, this time for the try by Bowe. Biggar’s conversion made it 0-7 and “it was all Ospreys.” This was outstanding play and I was beginning to think that we were about to see the Ospreys in all of their brilliant potential.

 The play by the Ospreys backs, which had put the fullback, Byrne, clear on both occasions was as brilliant as it was simple. These two qualities, brilliance and simplicity, often go together on the rugby pitch, but the second is more often than not ignored. What was simple was the straight running of the Ospreys’ midfield and the short passing of Sonny Parker, and the added distraction, on the inside, of a threatening ‘extra man’.

Crossfield running would have assisted the defence in their effort to drift. Short passing enabled the beautiful, but simple, through-the-hands pass into the gap for Byrne to run onto the ball for the break. The threatening extra man caused just enough hesitation in the defence. As I say over and over in my Coaching Manual, quality technique, in the execution of the fundamental facets of the game, is at the core of all good play. Without it, you will not survive the most stern examinations.

Unfortunately for the Welsh, the game began, slowly but surely, to change. Clermont obviously consolidated; there was after all still 70 mins to play. They were able to get their hands on the ball and set about establishing field position. Ospreys looked determined to self destruct and gave silly and consistent penalties. The former Welsh international, Michael Owen, on commentary, noted that “the referee is becoming increasingly annoyed with the Ospreys tactics.” This succession of penalties enabled Brock James to maintain his side’s dominance of field position and with three penalties and a drop goal, they led 12-7 at the break. Ospreys, on the other hand, were not close enough for a penalty attempt until the 55^th minute!

After the break, Clermont lifted the bar considerably. Their scrum became dominant, with the powerful Georgian, Zirakashvili, at tight-head, leading the way. Bonnaire was controlling the back of the lineout and their catch and drive was well-structured and determined, gaining plenty of territory and even more penalties. Brock James was now in the driver’s seat – and it was an armchair ride for him. The environment in Montferrand obviously suits him much better than that in Queensland. (This would be an interesting topic for discussion on another occasion.)

The referee’s patience finally ran out and Adam Jones took a yellow card. Scelzo came on for Zirakashvili and Russell for Floch – quality replacements for quality performers – and Clermont’s standards never faltered. We’ll do a Coaching Tip of the Week soon on the “Effective Use of the Replacement Bench’ – on www.bobdwyerrugby.com.

I was most impressed with Zirakashvili, Bonnaire and the ageless Ledesma, up front. Brock James controlled the game excellently and Rougerie was a real handful, generally for three or four Ospreys defenders.

For the losers, Lee Byrne was almost all class – he did drop one high ball for a try by Malzieux – and Jerry Collins and Marty Holah played like All Black backrowers. Funny that!

Could someone please explain to me the sense behind the substitution of Jerry Collins in the 72 min. He’s their best player and an object lesson for any young (or old) forward, in correct technique at the tackle contest.

I’m looking forward to reviewing next week’s vital match between Ospreys and Leicester Tigers. Both are excellent sides and the losers will be out of the Heineken Cup! It’s a tough pool!

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