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Ruck Involvements – Reds v Force
So much easier to collect these stats when the lads play well.
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.
- Force had 63% Possession & 65% Territory. But in the 2nd half the lads totally dominated with 70% Possession & 75% Territory. The Reds appeared shell-shocked.
- Force had 23 Handling Errors (SR average 15) and 15 Missed Tackles (Tackling at only 85%). Both big improvements.
- Penalty Count: Force 6:11 Reds. Showed good discipline.
- Turn Overs Won: Force 1:2 Reds.
- Good consistency from Haylett Petty & Coleman on top of the list for Ruck Involvements.
- Hodgson and Meakes both made 20% of the limited number of Def Ruck Involvements.
- Excellent rucking effort by van Wyk.
- Force increased their work rate as the game went on. Always good to see. Big effort at the start of the 2nd half (Hodgson, van Wyk, Coleman & Ainsley).
- In contrast the Reds went missing at the Breakdown in the 2nd half. Smith had 19 Ruck Involvements by half time (13A/6D). He had only 6 (all DRIs) in the 2nd half.
- Energy sustained off the bench.
- Best Tacklers: Coleman 15; Hodgson 13; RH-P 11; Naisarani 9.
- Best Ruck Involvements by Backs: Meaks as above. Rona – 14T (13A1D); Brache – 12T (12A/0D); Newsome – 10T (9A/1D). Backs made only 22% of Total Rucks
- Kicks from Hand: Force 24:20 Reds. Enjoyed seeing the ball being retained and the building on phases.
- Run m: Force 382: 420 Reds. Force av 2.9m/carry –Red 4.4m/carry.
- Offloads: Force 4:7 Reds
- Clean Breaks: Force 7:14 Reds
- Def Beaten: Force 17:15 Reds
- Best Ball Carriers: Brache – 9 Carries for 51m; Ruru – 10/48; Verity-Am – 9/38; Naisarani – 13/35; Rona – 6/29; Newsome – 8/27; Hodgson – 8/27
Very similar profile to last week against the Highlanders.
Excellent support play when the Reds tried to gain momentum.
This week the timing of our support was excellent. Strong support of the ball carrier - not just in response to the opposition's pressure.
Haven't seen Hodgo so well supported going into contact all year.
24 DRIs is the equal lowest level of involvement in 2017 (same as against the Highlanders).
Standing off 69% of Def Rucks represents the lowest level of D Ruck Involvement all year.
But very similar (66%) to the tactic used against the Reds in Round 2.
Similar profiles as used against the Highlanders but this week part of a winning game plan!
Update of Ruck Involvements by OSF & Back Rowers after Round 14
Included McMahon as close to a full game against the Crusaders.
Alcock actively avoided rucks against the Jaguares - 20T (19A/1D).
Hodgo maintaining his average.