I don’t think it’s so much as 4 hit up for a bomb but most certainly Madge’s style of coaching is to use all the tackles within the set to generate field position.
I’d argue though and I’d like anyone to challenge me that it’s possible that this style is a result of our current roster.
1. We do not have any backline speed besides Roberts who is not exactly a perpetual motion player. (He goes 100 miles an hour when he gets the ball but lacks the fitness / mental capacity to get involved when the opportunity might present.)
2. Our forwards are probably the weakest in the comp and fail to make up to ten metres a run.
If you factor that in.
Off the kick off we would catch the ball and be tackled about 10 out. Forward run 1 takes us to just before the 20, 2 to 30, 3 to 40. Most teams attack on play 4 and go to plan B on play 5. If you consider how dominated we are as mentioned above most of our ‘attacking’ plays would have to come out of our own half.
Now not one of our backline players have made a clear break from inside our half and had that directly lead to a try. That is a lack of pace.
So the alternative is to take all four plays with the forward pack and try and get as much field position as possible before a kick. Brooks is continually kicking under pressure being our only option in this space since Moses left. That means the opposition already starts their set with a roll on.
As I said based on our current roster, how would you play any differently?
Stats can be interesting but there is no denying the stats that back this up.
Last for kick return metres (backs receiving kicks under pressure).
Last for post contact metres.
2nd last for all run metres whilst being middle table for total runs.
3rd last for total kicks / total kick metres.
