The fromthebottomoftheruck infallible formula for form of the international teams

Picture from: http://windsockweb.com/photos/DaVinci.jpg

This is my take on how you determine what your team’s prospects are, for the Autumn internationals and beyond. Time to put my valuables on the block so to speak and amaze you (or not)with my insight into rugby. Normally I’d have to kill you after sharing this with you… but I’m a generous kind of guy so I’ll let you off this time.


The Theory©

I’ve divided my analysis into two parts – the structure and the current team.

Structure Points

What I’m saying here is that to be successful, a team needs to have certain basic elements in place. You have to competent players of the right size and skill, but that’s true of most of the top ten sides, so what are the differentiators?

The coach is very important, if he’s not competent with a decent record you are going nowhere, so that’s worth up to 10 points.

Captain – a captain who is a dead cert on form, and a born leader 10 points

Scrum half and fly half are the two most important play making positions. I think it’s important to have two clearly identified individuals here as they determine your whole pattern of play, and if you are chopping and changing them you have no settled gameplan. You get up to 10 points for each of these.

Fetcher. It’s vitally important to recognize the importance of fetcher, and have a good player in that position. Being able to turn ball over gives you an edge in disruptive broken field play, and opportunites to score tries. Up to 5 points

With a good structure in place, even if key individuals are missing the structure can carry the team.

Team points

These are awarded for key positions, it’s a given that the other players are competent and capable. Up to 5 points each.

Fly Half

Scrumhalf

Kicker

Fetcher

Hooker

Line out Jumper – someone who you can guarantee to win your own ball and steal the odd ball as well

Gamebreaker Improved defenses mean that Union and League are converging, someone who can all that on its head is like rocking horse poo.

New Zealand               96%

Australia                      93%

France                         91%

Wales                         90%

Ireland                       88%

South Africa               88%

Scotland                     84%

England                      79%



According to my formula, Wales are under performing, and England are under performing against their world rankings. Let me know what you think (politely!)