World Cup Quarter Finals Rundown
As the World Cup enters the knockout stages we see how teams have developed their style of play and look to find a way to win and continue in the competition.
So what are the basics that teams and coaches need to get right:
Win the Ball
1st phase, scrum, lineouts and restarts. Whenever there is a competition for the ball teams must be able to win their own ball and conversely strive to impact on the oppositions ability to use their own ball.
Each of the teams left in the Quarter Finals has shown competence in these areas. England have a gameplan based on their dominance in the scrum and lineout.
New Zealand have a really effective approach to the lineout and in stopping teams playing from this area. It’s important to mention that more tries are scored from the lineout than in any other area so a team that can affect an opposition’s success here reduces the chance of conceding tries.
Keeping the Ball
Japan have shown extraordinary skills in the area of continuity, their ability to pass at pace and accuracy has been probably the best of all remaining teams. The ability to retain possession and also generate exceptionally quick ball creates a huge amount of pressure for the opposition. Space is created as a result of this pressure whilst trying to reorganise against such a style of play.
Presure
Wales have built their success on their defensive strengths, stifling team's attacking potential and creating pressure in defensive situations, causing mayhem and turnovers. Defences are team efforts and require a cohesive approach and mind-set.
Wales will be banking on a much more water tight defence against France than against Fiji where they missed 25 tackles. Missing tackles will let France into play their game and with this confidence France are very hard to beat.
South Africa have traditionally had a power game that relies on creating pressure through intimidation in the tackle, collision and breakdown. Current changes in the way players are meant to manage the collision will actually reduce some of this Power game
Tackles will be lower creating opportunities for teams to offload, not create rucks and therefore make it difficult for South Africa to focus on the ruck defence system. How will South Africa cope with the fast paced no ruck offloading style of play of Japan?
Predictions
Here are my quarter final winners predictions based on how they have played so far: New Zealand, England, Wales, Japan. Yes I think Japan will win due to their amazing skill levels and speed of play that they maintain for the whole game.
Coach Development
There are no Home Nations Head Coach within the World Cup Quarter finals, the legacy of knowledge and elite coach development at the highest level is again lost to the UK system for another year. The best way that coaches at a grassroots level can learn to develop their art is watch coaches, read as much as you can, use the internet, using the knowledge on platforms such as this will help you continue your development.