Monday, July 25, 2005

Should the Springboks line up deeper on attack?

I believe that the Springboks' current attacking alignment needs variation. The alignment is shallow and relies on short passing and switches between the centres.

It is seldom that this results in breaks in initial phases, but instead requires multiple phases of play to draw in defenders and break opposition defensive patterns.

I believe the Springboks should vary their attack more. The All Blacks and New Zealand Super 12 teams set the standard for attacking play, and with their lethal back three, continue to carve holes in opposition defences. When backs receive the ball it is at pace. They run on to, and run off passes.

It is difficult to recognise a "set move" involving the backs these days, and indeed I wonder if they are used. Instead, it seems the backs are expected to employ skills from shadow and touch to break the line. Of course with the scientific defensive approaches employed these days, it is important that backs create opportunities in broken play. But opposition loose forwards have become so adept at slowing the ball now, I think our attacking alignment must seek to create more in phase play.

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