Recently we commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the 1916 Rising. What Field Marshal Douglas Haig would have thought of it all is another matter for he was the commander on the Western Front of the British Expeditionary Force.
Haig was ‘directing’ at the Battle of the Somme; one of the costliest battles in British military history. ‘Our battles are directed?’ once asked Captain Blackadder. Such were the futile ‘tactics’ of the day?
Unfortunately 100 years on in a sporting contest we can witness similar fare in Northern Hemisphere rugby; lines and lines of defence with attackers accepting their fate and hammering away. Bravo defence but it doesn’t have to be this way; innovate or at least pass into space.
When Munster replacement tighthead John Ryan got his hands on the ball with minutes to go what were his options? Did he take a quick look up before receiving the ball or did he look outside to see the advantage? It appeared passing was never an option he considered. That's not a skill set deficiency in passing, it's a skill set deficiency in culture.
Little influence
Thankfully for both FC Grenoble and Connacht this weekend, Field Marshal Haig has little influence. As I highlighted this January, watch FC Grenoble's third try against a poor Oyonnax.
And when watching, picture former Munster scrumhalf Mike Prendergast, Grenoble’s attack coach, at training each week. Northern Hemisphere teams get plenty of opportunities but last Saturday few recognised them.
Grenoble's counterattack try above was not unlike Connacht's beauty against Ulster. John Muldoon's offload to number eight Eoin McKeon before sub scrumhalf Caolin Blade scored mimicked Grenoble backrow Fabien Alexandre in the above move. Connacht used their extra man but it was Matt Healy carrying in both hands with his eyes alive before the offloading to Muldoon that fixed the defence. He knew what he was doing (PS. interesting tackle technique from Ulster's Stuart McCloskey on Healy before he passed to Muldoon – shoulder charge, no arms)
However beyond Connacht’s challenge in managing their injuries lies the scrutiny of their successful and entertaining style.
Ulster last weekend cleverly targeted Connacht’s strengths as a weakness. Ulster’s second penalty came from them triple teaming the first Connacht ball carrier knowing he’s trying to get an offload and less powerful in contact.
The wonderful Connacht plays come with subtle weakness that Ulster attacked. In Field Marshal Haig-style attacking rugby Ulster can defend countless blundering attacks but Connacht do far more reaping huge rewards. Ironically the better playoff teams can use these Connacht plays to their advantage.
With Connacht support runners expecting offloads they can become light on the deck which Ulster successfully targeted. In the meantime Ulster’s first receiver was wider out, skipping inside players akin to the flat Australian system where several forwards and physical backs would offer as receivers. The skill of the play is the scrumhalf’s ability to spot the best receiver vis-à-vis defensive weaknesses. Grenoble mimic this but with less skilled players.
Yes Grenoble score tries; but they also leak scores. They have starter plays like their attacking lineout on Connacht’s ten where they’ll hit the front with their tail gunners peeling away to give the Grenoble scrumhalf options around the tail. Their scrumhalf, like Ulster last weekend, will push that first pass much wider than Munster for instance. The first receiver having taken wider also looks to pop immediately outside him to change the point of attack. But if Grenoble have learnt anything from the Ulster-Connacht game it’ll be targeting Connacht’s forward pivot receiver.
Based on Grenoble’s lineout defence, Connacht can get a solid but narrow contact in their lineout maul with an elongated tail typically with hooker or openside. When done quickly and at the requisite height it can be very difficult to stop five metres from home even when Grenoble don’t contest in the air.
To nullify Grenoble’s defensive pods Connacht should look to reduce numbers down to a six-man. However Connacht can make great midfield yards with a myriad of attacking options should they elect to maul off short-lineouts as Grenoble can switch off. Connacht can then feed off the aggressive maul bringing Bundee Aki into play.
Cultures collide
It’s hard to know what pace the game will be played at as two cultures collide. I expect Connacht to keep up their pace which will unlock holes in Grenoble. But the big call for Pat Lam’s men is to contest or not contest the breakdown as Grenoble are very strong technically in this area, especially when counter rucking.
Ulster displayed great discipline around the decision to bite or not against Connacht. Grenoble go through phases and rewinds but should Connacht remain out of the ruck filling the field I don’t think Grenoble will break them down. The Connacht trick is to know when the steal is on, especially as Grenoble become impatient. Knowing when that window opens requires great footballing brains, so every single tackle area needs to be viewed on its own merits. Clever biting will reap Connacht rewards especially around Grenoble’s sixth-plus phase and turnovers will follow. Patience, patience and pounce!
liamtoland@yahoo.com
