Game plan quirks

[kpj tiger]

I think we are definitely building a more recognisable game plan under Borthwick but there are some things that we do that seem a bit odd that I think we seem to be doing,

Firstly kicking the ball long in field even though we have a decent lineout and wings who can compete, can't see what the logic is on this myself

Secondly I feel like we seem to have a policy of not competing at the breakdown outside of our 22, this may just be my perception but I think it may be a result of our poor penalty count

Has anybody else noticed these quirks or is it just me?

[sapajo]

I think we are definitely building a more recognisable game plan under Borthwick but there are some things that we do that seem a bit odd that I think we seem to be doing,

Firstly kicking the ball long in field even though we have a decent lineout and wings who can compete, can't see what the logic is on this myself

Secondly I feel like we seem to have a policy of not competing at the breakdown outside of our 22, this may just be my perception but I think it may be a result of our poor penalty count

Has anybody else noticed these quirks or is it just me


Well as evidenced its abundantly clear that the game plan is give away as many penalties as you can, kick the ball away, turn over the ball at will.

[LE18]

I think we are definitely building a more recognisable game plan under Borthwick but there are some things that we do that seem a bit odd that I think we seem to be doing,

Firstly kicking the ball long in field even though we have a decent lineout and wings who can compete, can't see what the logic is on this myself

Secondly I feel like we seem to have a policy of not competing at the breakdown outside of our 22, this may just be my perception but I think it may be a result of our poor penalty count

Has anybody else noticed these quirks or is it just me?

Agree fully with this.

[Scott1]

It’s not a gameplan,it’s dimwittedness during the game!

[sam16111986]

I think we are definitely building a more recognisable game plan under Borthwick but there are some things that we do that seem a bit odd that I think we seem to be doing,

Firstly kicking the ball long in field even though we have a decent lineout and wings who can compete, can't see what the logic is on this myself

Secondly I feel like we seem to have a policy of not competing at the breakdown outside of our 22, this may just be my perception but I think it may be a result of our poor penalty count

Has anybody else noticed these quirks or is it just me?

I suspect we are looking to keep the ball in the field of play as long as possible as we back our fitness and want to force the opposition into playing a lot of rugby particularly in the first half. We'll take losing the first half for a tired opposition in the second half we can put to the sword. See game Vs Ulster and to a lesser extent Connacht.

I think our issues at the breakdown aren't helped by Reffell and Wallace being injured. It may be that we are playing the percentages. Don't give away penalties if you can help it and give the opposition easy points or field position is probably why we don't compete much out of our 22. In our 22 a lot of consecutive phases normally mean tries so it's worth gambling on the turnover.

[OakhamTiger32]

I think we are definitely building a more recognisable game plan under Borthwick but there are some things that we do that seem a bit odd that I think we seem to be doing,

Firstly kicking the ball long in field even though we have a decent lineout and wings who can compete, can't see what the logic is on this myself

Secondly I feel like we seem to have a policy of not competing at the breakdown outside of our 22, this may just be my perception but I think it may be a result of our poor penalty count

Has anybody else noticed these quirks or is it just me?

I suspect we are looking to keep the ball in the field of play as long as possible as we back our fitness and want to force the opposition into playing a lot of rugby particularly in the first half. We'll take losing the first half for a tired opposition in the second half we can put to the sword. See game Vs Ulster and to a lesser extent Connacht.

I think our issues at the breakdown aren't helped by Reffell and Wallace being injured. It may be that we are playing the percentages. Don't give away penalties if you can help it and give the opposition easy points or field position is probably why we don't compete much out of our 22. In our 22 a lot of consecutive phases normally mean tries so it's worth gambling on the turnover.

Agreed

[OakhamTiger32]

I also find it strange when we don’t compete at the lineout. I get it when we are defending on our own 5m line but that one late on against Sale in the first half.. it’s in their half and we’ve been attacking.. why not put pressure on the lineout? This happens a lot. Instead Sale secure easy uncontested possession, recycle and go on to almost score! Think we did it late on against Saints too

[sam16111986]

I also find it strange when we don’t compete at the lineout. I get it when we are defending on our own 5m line but that one late on against Sale in the first half.. it’s in their half and we’ve been attacking.. why not put pressure on the lineout? This happens a lot. Instead Sale secure easy uncontested possession, recycle and go on to almost score! Think we did it late on against Saints too

I presume percentages again. If you go up in the air and make any sort of contact with the opposition whilst competing its nearly always a penalty. Stay on the ground, hit them hard if they try to maul otherwise get off the line quick and defend.