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Thread: Wallaby Forwards – Stats from TWC 2015

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    Champion andrewg's Avatar
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    Wallaby Forwards – Stats from TRC 2015

    In the build-up to the RWC this year’s TRC was only 3 games.

    Michael Cheika has switched and matched more than many pundits expected but not as much as others wanted.
    It’s pleasing to see that the focus has been on winning Test matches.

    No Forward has played for the full 240 minutes and only 10 players have accumulated playing time equivalent to about 1.5 games. To that extent these stats should be viewed with an air of caution to NOT draw too many definitive conclusions. It is difficult to read too much into the performances below the ‘blue line”.

    There is always a lot of discussion about transferring Super Rugby “form” into Test Rugby.
    The Stats (and those from last year’s EOY Tests) show that generally Wallaby Forwards perform at or close to the same level as they did in SXV. In my view, to achieve the same/similar stats at Test level is in itself commendable. However, there are a few notable exceptions where players consistently outperform their SXV contributions.

    Again an air of caution. Each player is generally playing in his ‘normal’ position, BUT is playing under a different coach, different game plans and with a group of very different player. His Test match role may be very different from SXV role. As we have seen, it may vary from Test to Test.

    Most Stats are from the Vodacom App site which generally mirrors stats from ESPN Scrum, Super Rugby or Rugby Heaven. They may differ from FoxSports stats (particularly in carry m). As per usual, the Ruck Involvement stats I collect myself.

    Any surprises?


    Attachment 3980

    For Ruck Data remember:
    1. Early means 1st or 2nd of player’s team AFTER the ball carrier has been tackled and brought to ground.
    2. Impact means active engagement: strong physical contact, changed shape of ruck, clean-out, protecting ball etc. (more than hand on someone’s bum or arriving after the hard work has been done). Yes it’s subjective - but as I collect all data at least it’s consistent.
    3. Impact DOES NOT equate to Effectiveness. I’ve concluded that coming up with an effectiveness measure is just too hard in the time that I have available – but open to suggestions.

    Attachment 3981

    NOTE: All numbers rounded to whole number (except m/carry).

    SOME OBSERVATIONS

    Generally the Forwards are showing similar stats to Super Rugby.
    However, there are some noticeable exceptions:

    Tackles
    1. Moore, Holmes and Skelton are missing more tackles at Test level.
    2. Slipper and Kepu are missing more tackles BUT they are making more tackles.
    3. Pocock and Simmons are making more tackles and missing fewer.
    4. Hooper is missing >50% less tackles.

    Ruck Involvement
    1. Fardy’s ruck involvement is 37% higher than SXV level. He has earlier arrivals. He is more involved in Defensive Rucks
    2. Both Slipper and Holmes are involved in ~20% more rucks.
    3. Slipper arrives earlier. Holmes a bit slower.
    4. Pocock is 10% below his SXV level with earlier arrival. Strong focus on Defensive Rucks.
    5. Simmons is 20% fewer rucks than SXV with earlier arrival and more impact
    6. Skelton is slower to rucks.
    7. Sio and Kepu are much slower to rucks.

    Turn Overs Won
    1. There are generally fewer Turn Overs Won at Test level.
    2. Fardy, Hooper and Pocock show that they can be pests at the breakdown at Test level.
    3. Holmes can be an opportunist when fresh off the bench.

    Ball Carries
    1. Hooper, Simmons, Sio and Kepu make fewer m/carry.
    2. Pocock doubled his m/carry.
    3. Holmes (60%) and Skelton (17%) increased their m/carry.
    4. Fardy is used more as a ball carrier at Test level.

    Def Beaten, Clean Breaks, Passes , Offloads and Handling Errors
    1. Forwards who show these skills in SXV exercise them at test level.
    2. Hooper less so.
    3. Pocock more so.
    4. Front Rowers show more tendency to pass the ball.
    5. Moore and Simmons more Handling Errors.
    6. Hooper and Pocock fewer Handling Errors.

    Tries Scored
    Only Hooper and Kepu have scored tries in the TWC.

    Line Outs Won
    1. Fardy and Simmons are winning more Line Outs at this level.
    2. Skelton has 1 LOW (35% of SXV rate)

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    Last edited by andrewg; 12-08-15 at 16:26.

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    Champion MI5_Dog's Avatar
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    I suspect someone has taken Poey aside and said to him "Watch Hooper and try and run like him" and someone has taken Hooper aside and said "Watch Pocock and try and get more involved in the rucks like he does"
    As a result both Pocock and Hooper are becoming more rounded players.

    I hope.

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    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MI5_Dog View Post
    I suspect someone has taken Poey aside and said to him "Watch Hooper and try and run like him" and someone has taken Hooper aside and said "Watch Pocock and try and get more involved in the rucks like he does"
    As a result both Pocock and Hooper are becoming more rounded players.

    I hope.
    whether that is the case or not, it can only work in our favour having both of them fight for the 7 jersey.

    Hooper brings a vastly different skillset to the table, and is the icing on the cake so to speak. Not essential, but bloody lovely to have as long as you have cake.

    Pocock on the other hand isn't a food at all. He is bedrock, foundational, essential.

    I'm not sure how icing would go on granite, but the mixed metaphor makes for some bloody exciting rugby.

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    C'mon the

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