Rugby World Cup: set piece analysis
According to the I.R.B. rankings, this game saw first place, New Zealand against fifth place, France. Before the game, there was plenty of talk about how both teams might want to lose the game in order to finish in second place in the group. That rumour was quickly dispelled soon after kick off.
All Blacks legend and player of the century, Colin Meads sent out an ominous warning to all the teams looking to lift the Webb-Ellis Trophy. Meads reportedly declared that the All Blacks will go unbeaten and ridiculed the idea of All Blacks losing on purpose. Meads’ declaration proved true as the All Blacks secured a bonus point with the first play of the second half.
New Zealand ripped the French apart. France are well known for being a scziophrenic team. They have the ability to be sublime in one game and shockingly poor in the next. If anyone has the capabilities of beating the All Blacks, it is the French. However, the French will not beat many teams playing with the lack of intensity that they displayed today. The French fell off too many tackles and lacked the conviction needed to compete against the world’s greatest rugby team.
This rugby world cup game also marked a very special occasion for All Blacks legend, Richie McCaw. I played against McCaw in 2001 at the under 21’s world cup in Australia. New Zealand won that competition and later that year, McCaw made his senior debut against Ireland. Today’s game against France, saw the flanker become the first Kiwi ever to represent his country one hundred times. An incredible feat!
New Zealand gave a masterclass in set piece execution.
Rugby World Cup: Set piece analysis
The All Blacks had a total of 9 lineouts in the game.
Rugby World Cup: The Kiwis had 7 lineouts in the first half and were clinical from these set pieces.
- 5 man lineout on the halfway line. Throw to the tail. Overthrow but results in TRY
- Full man lineout on French 10m line. Throw to tail. Inside pass to Jane. TRY
- 5 man lineout on NZ 10m line. Throw to tail. Outcome = TRY
- Full man lineout on French 10m line. Throw to tail. Outcome = Kick
- Quick lineout.
- 5 man lineout in NZ 22. Throw to front. Outcome = Kick
- Full man lineout on halfway line. Outcome = Kick
Rugby World Cup: 2nd Half
- 5 man lineout in French 22. Throw to middle. Outcome = Knock On
- Full man lineout in French 22. Throw to middle. Outcome = Drop goal
- On NZ 5m line. Outcome = Kick
- On halfway line. Outcome = Scrum to NZ
- On French 10m line. Outcome = Penalty to NZ
- On French 10m line. Outcome = Scrum to France
- On NZ 10m line. Outcome = Kick
- On French 10m line. Outcome = Penalty to NZ.
- On NZ 10m line. Outcome = Penalty to NZ
- On French 5m line. Outcome = Penalty to France
- On NZ 10m line. Outcome = Kick
- On NZ 10m line. Outcome = Penalty to NZ
- On French 10m line. Outcome = Penalty to France
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Gavin Hickie, USA Rugby U20s Forwards Coach, is a former Ireland, Leinster and Leicester rugby player now based in California and taking rugby to the USA. He writes for RugbyMag.com and other publications when not coaching for Belmont Shore and blogging on lineoutcoach.com about the Rugby World Cup #busy