The UAFC

Dharper wrote: ↑Sun Dec 24, 2023 11:25 am Re general Poor backline in attack

The backline post first phase is static, very flat, and several things are noticeable.
Flannery crabs across the pitch pre pass, backline follows at time close to a 45 angle….it’s that bad. Receiving the ball at a standing start, wingers wide static and totally turned in to receive the ball then they run!…straight into traffic.

Flannery needs to straighten, whether he was closing to make passes easier in conditions…I’m reluctant to accept.

I personally think it starts unsurprisingly with the pack. Slow scrappy breakdown ball is no platform to attack off. Maybe ball retention was preferable against the wind who knows what the strategy was. How a backline can generate speed into a move when they don’t know when they are getting the ball is difficult.

We have little turnovers to play off. We lack power at the breakdown to effectively clear consistently. Also, we lack forward carriers who can get over the gainline to help generate quick ball to attack off, Coetzee has been a big miss from that point of things. Everything is slower, scrappier, and barely beyond the gainline. Add in a fast aggressive d, and flat UR backline, and we are struggling.
McCann is a loss as he has dynamism. Ewers I’ll hold judgement on, a big gnarly forward to do the dirty work, however he has a lot of miles on the clock in the prem and his best days prob behind him. I’d like to see more of Sheridan.

rumncoke wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:07 am Those who consider Stockdale and Baloucoune are weak in defence fail to understand the back line defence which is not based on a man to man approach ie out half marks - out half inside centre marks inside centre etc

It is based on two men marking on -- one to tackle ?? and one to contest the breakdown if possible ,Using this approach results in the defending wing being in field , not marking his wing but marking or supporting the defence on the outside centre . it being assumed that any kick to wing can be covered while the ball is in the air and the wing will be marked by the full back and the cross field cover defence ie back row.

The problem with the system is the defending wing tends to be infield rather than out on the wing and against a deep attacking line the defensive wing may face a two on one attack -- with the instruction mark the ball carrier -- the wing is the responsibility of the cover defence a well timed pass leaves the defensive wing in no mans land .


Against a flat back line the it is an effective defence but a deep back line may exploit any weakness in approach or timing and failure in the cover defence which may be taken out with a little obstruction off the ball / or prolonged holding etc or in the preceding ruck or maul .

volvo wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 9:24 am Heard his youngster was ill and not in right frame of mind to play was worried about the kid

So It Is wrote:Whatever about defensive systems, but Bobby B's missed tackle 1 yard from the touchline was a disgrace. You'd be disappointed if you saw a U13 try and make a grab tackle instead of getting a shoulder hit, that close to the touchline.

Can't excuse those type of mistakes.