The alternative gameplan - the ruck.

The key factors for any team on attack is space, patience, skill, execution, speed, unpredictability, clean quick ball and teamwork.

The key factors for defence is organisation, communication, patience, discipline, aggression, formation and obviously teamwork.

If any of these factors are missing the process will fail the majority of the time.

Because of the fact that interpretation of laws have been a major contributing factor for controversy in the last year and it seems that little effort if any is made by the IRB to simplify any laws, it is necessary to consider alternatives in order to negate these factors.

Rugby has become a game of chess and many methods used by coaches these days are to outwit the referee which in all honesty doesn’t sit well with me purely because of the fact that these inconsistencies by referees from one match to the next, means that coaching teams need to outguess the referees in order to gain the advantage.

I prefer to think rugby is still a game that must be won by the ability of the players, whether it be pace, strength, vision and skills. Hence I will attempt to provide my version of how I believe some and hopefully many of the interpretations can be avoided with altering game plans.

The Ruck
The biggest problem with the ruck is whether the tackler released, the tackled player released, who is the second arrival and does he have rights to the ball, when the ruck is actually formed and hands must be out, whether the player with hands on the ball is maintaining his own body weight. Then of course you have to consider whether any player came in from the side and watch the offside lines.

Usually a player when seen to be legal, on side, on his feet, before the ruck has formed can have one attempt at the ball, if he doesn’t secure possession immediately, then he needs to abort and rather defend around the fringes of the ruck.

This is also a very succesful technique on defence when the tackle assist releases the tackled player early enough to be seen by the referee and then can immeditately go onto the ball as the tackler hits the ground, the takler releases and the assist has all the rights to the ball.

When the attacker is caught in a smother tackle by more than one player and goes to ground he can be seen as isolated and it will more often than not result in a penalty for the defending team as he can be deemed not to have released. A new method I saw the crusaders execute with great effect is to not go down on the ball as the supporting arrivals to a ruck, but to get under the defending team’s players and simply drive the whole lot off the ball, cleaning the area for the attacking scrum half who has space and time at his disposal to clear the ball. Done well this provides quick ball so that momentum and rhythm is not lost.

Usually you will find the attacking team’s arrivals will go down and try to get the ball back, now all this allows for is slow ball as they wrestle for the possession or the referee deems not released.

Even when the tackled player has not been isolated, it is still advisable for the attacking team to ruck over the ball, remaining on their feet, as there is then no contentious or debatable issues on players holding on, going to ground or not releasing.

So to summarise, in my view there are many more benefits to use rucking as the main tactic to enter a ruck, whether defending or attacking, it means your players are all on their feet, ready to defend or support in attack, and you avoid the “interpretation” issues at the ruck.

This does however mean that packs must be mobile, play as a collective unit and have high work rates. In this case specialist flankers is not necessary, you would rather select a back row that is physical and mobile.

This does not mean the specialist “fetcher” is no longer required, but he has to be very disciplined in going for the ball once and if unsuccessful, pull out and get ready for defence.

Finally the benefit of the ruck or counter ruck is that these players are not in an offside position as long as they only take out the participating “ruckers”, hence there is no need for the casual offside play you often see at stationary rucks. Effectively you are then not committing obstruction either.

I will look at the scrum and the maul in the next article.

I think you've just turned the ruck into enough of a mess, please leave the maul and scrum alone!!!

My problem with getting underneath players is that if they drop on you you go clean off your feet and are penalised.

I think you've really overcomplicated the ruck. For me although you are right with all the ruck problems, the real problem lies with 90% of tacklers actively looking to fall on the wrong side and disrupt ala Mccaw. The amount of players caught on the wrong side these days is massive, and the amount of penalties given is tiny in comparison. Then we have 2 options;

Penalise any player caught on the wrong side, at all. That will make every tackler roll away before the ruck is formed, and of course you won't get an adaptation of attacking ruckers trying to pull tacklers onto their side of the ruck because they want quick ball.

OR

Stop reffing the ruck, allow the attacking team to referee their side of the ruck as they see fit. I know sounds a bit dodgy but within reason, the old style boot to back will occur and players will be wary of the wrong side of the ruck again. I have noticed more and more SH's using their foot to backs, and hands on the ball recently, give them near carte blanche then see whos brave enough!!!

I know interpretations are the problem, but making them more complex and writing new rule upon rule doesn't seem to be solving the problem, time to relax slightly!

Bluesman, I cannot disagree with you more.

The ruck IS complicated. If you ruck upwards your momentum is not going down and it is unlikely that you will go off your feet.

See if you can find a clip of the super Rugby match of the Crusaders of this weekend gone by. It is very simple, very effective and the cleanest and quickest ball you will see.

I fail to see how I have complicated the ruck.

My view is simplified.

1. If you are the tackle assist, ensure the referee sees you have released before the tackle is completed, then as soon as player is tackled you are in position and has first rights to the ball.

2. Instead of going in and fighting for the ball, simply ruck the opposition out of the way as a collective unit.

3. Have one go at the ball then remove yourself out of the equation by getting ready for defence.

4. If your players are on their feet they can be more effective in the ensuing attack or defence.

Simples.

They will not stop referreeing the ruck, they aren't even simplifying the laws.

"the real problem lies with 90% of tacklers actively looking to fall on the wrong side and disrupt ala Mccaw"

Funny, I thought that was a pretty good description of the welsh team.

Biltong, the point you make is an interesting one. I would like to see this tactic in action, especially when Ireland go to NZ (well, sort of ). The ruck is indeed a complete mess atm, with all these little complexities, when it doesn't need to be. So many referees have their own interpretations, and now it is about "playing the ref". I even think a ref is more inclined to let a 7 do his job more than other players, and they can get away with more because of their position.

Your point about the fetcher having less importance, I already think it is less important and unnecessary. Rucking should be, a core skill that every player possesses, of course some will be better than others, but every player should be ready to secure or compete at the breakdown. When people expect the back row to do it, it is naive IMO. Of course they will be the fastest there off the set piece, but every player must be willing to secure or compete.

Yeah Rory, I tried to find a video clip of how the Crusaders did it effectively the weekend, but the highlight clips only show the last movements leading up to a try. Unfortunately.

Biltong - I've seen this in action and I agree that all too often the first players at the breakdown look for the ball instead of "rucking" PAST the ball. This does mean that a lot more forwards need to arrive together. This is effective when attacking but high risk in defense.

Biltong,in the piece about Refs.being chosen there was notes about the following.
1.Breakdown/tackle especially releasing,rolling away,holding on[in the tackle]
and going off the feet.
2.Engagement,and binding correctly at the Scrum.
3.Offside at the breakdown/ruck
4.offside in the kick/chase area
5,the maul and legal defence of the same.
The Referees have been told to be extra vigilant in these areas.

I coach kids & the message is always - first to arrive, drive over the ball, it's not your job to pick it up.

It works at that level.

wickedwasp wrote:I coach kids & the message is always - first to arrive, drive over the ball, it's not your job to pick it up.

It works at that level.

Yeah, my kids are coached in a similar fashion at U9.

I was always taught the the first player at the breakdown secured the ground and the second player arriving went for the ball.

Agreed. Tackler goes to ground & presents the ball back. Next to arrive drive over the ball, leaving it available for a clean pick up.

Simples.

What i have noticed creeping more and more into the game is player joining from the side not being punished. I would hazard a guess that 1 in 5 side entries gets punished these days.

Billy, it has been pinged harshly in the super XV this year.

One thing I have noticed is that ruck ball is much faster in the super rugby when comparing it to the six nations of this year.

I think there are two major contributing factors.

Stricter officiating at the break down and the intent of the attacking team to gain quick ball, it is also notable that the defending team commits less numbers to the breakdown as they want to be ready in defence.

Granted i havent seen that much of the super XV biltong but it was rampant in the 6N and also in the Rabo.

Stricter officiating at the break down and the intent of the attacking team to gain quick ball, it is also notable that the defending team commits less numbers to the breakdown as they want to be ready in defence.

Yeah I noticed that too Bil watching the S15. It makes for a far more enjoyable game. What I have noticed is the defending team will not commit anyone to a ruck unless there is a good chance of a turnover. In which case they go over the ball in numbers...a la highlanders style!

I'm not sure I'm watching the same Super games as you lot, the Reds a few weeks ago showed the worst elements of the super tradition. They almost played like a 6N team and spoilt at every opportunity, slowed ball down and sacrificed attacking flair for safety. Then watched Harris kick all the points and you know what, they won.

The problem I have with the ruck is that no youngsters these days are taught to decision make, or be aware of who is around them while enetering the ruck.

I coach in a number of regions and it is all about the tackler returning to his feet and 'spidering' to get in the way of a defende and the tackle assist player going over the ball (illegally)

I much prefer to coach a bit more sense, ok blow through the ruck at the sniff of a turnover, but jackling straight from the tackle can work so much better if the ball carrier is isolated, and you have little support.
Not to mention the judo throw, leg lift, or neck twist.

I recently attended a Wales U16 game, and 2 tries were scored directly from pick ups from the base of the ruck as the tackler spidered through to an attacking forward who simply let him past, picked the ball up and had noone in front of him.

GAME SENSE is lauded around, but is only considered with ball in hand, for me it's much more pertinent when in defence, or in support play.

I put this thread up a few weeks ago and there were mixed opinions on it.

After 7 weeks of the Super XV it proves to be the most effective and less penalised manner to win ruck ball, turn over possession at the breakdown and not give away penalties.

What you thinking about the referee in the Shark and Hurricane game? My mind is that the Shark were penalty all the time for same same action of the Hurricane were not and was not about release the player, but about player stay on the feet. And not taking the weight by the arms?

Anotherworldofpain

Ah but sharks played very dumb.

Definition of Dumb.
1.referee penalises Hurricanes in scrum,so
2.Jannie du Plessis punches Hurricanes hooker in face,so,
3.Dane Coles,hurricanes hooker punches jannie Du Plessis in mouth,so,
4.Everbody have big fight,so,
5.Referee reverses penalty and penalises Jannie Du Plessis for punching Hurricane,so,
6.Jannie retreats with sore mouth and no penalty.

I dont think sharks will play that dumb again,because their coach is smart Kiwi.and they will all get big kick up rrrss.

Laurie...just cos the Blues are in the dump...

Did you see Melamu is saying Weepu has let the side down with his fitness.

And he's from OUR club Laurie!

Talk about the pot calling the kettle...people in glass houses shouldnt throw...cry over spilt milk...

Love to know which player isnt letting him down...

Actually these days Kevin is attached to the Paptoetoe club,a couple of years ago kevins older brother had a bit of a falling out at Oats and took up the job of coaching Paptoetoe seniors,he took just about all the good players,including Kevin as well,he also took Joe Rococoko from Marist.

Up this way Pat Lam (and Andy dalton) had been getting utter hell from everybody all week,Plumtree is smart enough to cash in on this sort of situation...the Sharks are circling.

kevin's got a problem himself,people up here have been saying why cant these world Cup winning All Blacks (Ali Williams and Boric) win lineout ball,and the problem seems to be the World Cup winning Hooker throwing the ball in.

South African teams apart from the Stormers are not playing smart rugby. I hate the ruck situation as it is now.

SA teams need to smarten up, if you aren't getting the read on the referee then change your method of going into the ruck.

The Stormers last weekend didn't enter the rucks, they stood off when the ball was secured by the Highlanders and propped ready for defence, only when when they had superior numbers did they enter the ruck.

I don't get what is wrong. The sharks keep on getting pinged at the breakdown and three times last weekend on the Hurricanes line they get pinged for "technical" errors, such as coming in from the side, not getting enough numbers to an attacking ruck and thus getting oinged for holding on or pinged for coming in from the side.

Now in my very humble opinion that has to do with focus. You cannot work your way up to the opponent tryline and then get pinged for stupid little things.

It seems we are dumb.

biltong
My take on the Sharks was that when they got momentum (which so happened when they were hard on attack)they push the break down too far forward,thus the refs are thinking no tackler gets a shot at the ball,if they release the ball quick theyre fine but if play is held up they end up getting ping,My way to address it is actually to crash the ball and dont push the breakdown into the advantage line,then put the two "guards " on each side ,settle other forwards for the next hit up,then go.

In so far as the Stormers are concerned,last weekend they were by far the most accurate team in the comp.When I was later watching some of the Leinster game up in the Heineken Cup a lot of their plays and organisation reminded me of the Stormers game. The Stormers only pick the rucks on opposition ball when they are confident theyve got a sniff of a turnover.

Laurie absolutely correct, that is why I don't understand how the sharks aren't playing it smarter. John Plumtree is a good coach, they are now seven weeks into the competition and should be executing the rucks with precision.

Why aren't they doing that?

I get the impression and it is extremely frustrating to see SA sides not being able to read the mood of the referee. If he starts pinging you on attack, how the hell don't you adapt.

It is the simgle biggest reason why SA teams don't finish.

It isn't that they can't, it is because they get halted by the referee before they get to the line. now whether you want to beleive it to be a conspiracy or stupidity, it has to stop.

Look at the way the Cheetahs who has literally very few stars are able to gain ruck ball quickly and accurately and score from there, compared to a sharks team with a whole host of stars but get stopped by the referee all the time.

That is what irritated the hell out of me during the world cup last year as well. If you can forge ahead 80 meters the whole time and be stopped by the opposition becuase you play the ruck technically incorrect, or be stopped by the referee because you are technically incorrect then it isn't a case of you can't finish, it is a case of figuring out at that moment in time why you are being pinged or halted.

Then offload more to avoid the ruck, or do whatMorne Steyn did against the Crusaders, put a little kick through, or play away from the forwards where the ruck becomes congested.

There are different options if you can't get through with pick and drive close to the ruck, as the more numbers the oposition has at the breakdown the more opportunity that either the referee will find a "technical" reason to blow, or the opposition gets an opportunity to slow down or even steal your ball.

One thing I have noticed, players will go in two at a time to tackle, but the tackle assist is there to ensure momentum is halted of the ball carrier, then once that is done, he immediately releases the tackled player, shows daylight and gets his hands on the ball, this is especially effective if the main tackler went in low, so body positioning is much easier to gain access to the ball.

Biltong,For all my criticism of the Sharks,they are still a thousand per cent smarter than the Blues.Comparing the South african teams the Bulls and The Stormers keep their breakdowns tighter and coincidentally those are the teams that are well drilled and execute their rolling mauls well,and the one thing for a rolling maul to be successful is to keep it tight and compact.
Plumtree's expertise lies more in the speed side of things,and the loose forward lines and channels. i dont know who is their scrum coach either and to be honest that Sharks scrum has been put to the sword anumber of times in the last two seasons.

That goes for the springbok scrum as well, our problem is Jannie Du Plessis is the only real proper tighthead we have in SA, and there aren't really many coming through.

Beast is only effective when he scrums up, Jannie is only effective when he scrums in, and inbetween the two of them you have bismarck who for all his strength and power doesn't seem to gel with these two boys.

It is time Jannie du Plessis and Beast is dropped, until they find a way of being able to dominate scrums. The two young guys at the Stormers and the fornt row of the cheetahs are more likely candidates for me.

If Plumtree is the speed play coach, then he seriously has to look at the method the Sharks play the breakdown, because it ain't creating quick ball.

One thing I have noticed from the sharks, and perhpas this is a big contributing factor is their unwillingness to look for the support runner.

Keegan Daniel, Bismarck, Willem alberts, in fact you can categorise all their ball carriers into this category, they have only one intent and that is to drive through the opposition forward pack and score.

Go look at last weeekends game against the Hurricanes, their option taking when carrying the ball is non existent, during times they get isolated and this is causing slow ball as well, they don't focus on how they present the ball in the ruck and hence the ball is never quickly available.

The Hurricanes played the breakdowns very well, just linger in the offside of the breakdown after the tackle for a wee while, enough to halt the supporters coming in and allowing their own players to get into position to pilfer.

If John Plumtree wants quick ball, which all teams should want, then his players need to start looking where their support is, where they can offload to or alternatively focusing on their presentation of the ball, and not trying to get that last foot of gain towards the tryline.

I know I go on about the referees at the breakdown, and I also know that it isn't their fault all the time. BUt hell, if you can't figure out the interpretations, then avoid the situation as much as possible.

biltong
You guys have agold mine of talent in that Cheetahs team,they may not be big household names but they work hard,and they work hard for 80 minutes,they support their ball carriers well ,and scream so that theyre mates knows that they are there.
On friday night the Blues will not start with Ali Williams ,Meaning they are starting with two ordinary ITM comp locks,If the Sharks dont roll them then something is wrong. actually DuPlessis versus Woodcock might be worth a look at.

Well Plumtree has his work cut out for him. we'll see on the weekend whether the Sharks have the ability to adapt in a week, as they certainly don't have the ability to do it on field.