World Cup Lessons - Week 3 image
Posted on October 11th 2019 by Rich Hicks

World Cup Lessons - Week 3

Rugby is a simple game; Run, Pass, Kick, Tackle. If you do that better than the opposition then you have a good chance of winning. It’s a simple game made complex by a variety of aspects. There is also a bigger picture and that is where and how you play the game, how do you use and keep the ball, is territory your thing? Do you like to keep the ball or are you happy to give the ball to the opposition, and let them play?

Take a look at these simple stats from 2 recent games where England and New Zealand won:

Runs Passes Tackles Kicks from hand
ENG/ARG 134/199 176/115 84%/83% 32/34
NZ/SA 108/104 126/115 75%/67% 35/26

It seems as if doing the basics right is what is key for winning teams despite South Africa having more possession and territory than New Zealand. It's not how much of the ball you have, it's how well you use it!

Run

We need to carry the ball efectively to create pressure from which we can find the space - how we run, use our feet and evade whilst going forward is the key here.

Video: Evasion Skills

Pass

Passing is important but being able to run and pass at the same time is a real skill. Challenge your players to be able to run as fast as they can whilst executing an accurate pass to a support player, whilst being pressured by defence. Don't expect this to happen overnight, you need to challenge your players in stages with technical coaching. This won't be learned through games alone.

Video: Simple Passing

Tackle

With 5 red cards already a clear message is being sent by World Rugby. We are having to see tacklers manage their targets and being far more accurate in where and how they takle. Reckless, no arms, high and late tackles are a no no. This will be much more translate to grassroots where the game is slower, players have less body control and poorer decision making skills.

Video: Tackle Exercises