I’ve just watched the semi finals of the common wealth seven’s tournament played between New Zealand/England and Australia/South Africa respectively.

NZ won relatively easily against the Poms and South Africa lost 17-7 against the Aussies. While watching these matches I penned down 7 observations.

Firstly, one of the things that I am allowing to irritate my too an escalating degree is this habit modern players have to run right up to the dead-ball-line before scoring a try.

Why?

I am waiting for the day one will lose his balance (either slipping or getting pushed) and step over the line.

Second, thing I noticed was that the NZ side used the exact same approach –though slightly different in execution because of the different nature of the sevens game- than the 15 man side when carrying the ball. The approach of depth with speed onto the ball and blowing over at the contact point before playing the ball wide. It has the exact same impact than in the 15 man game namely forcing the defenders to turn around and run backwards and thereby taking them out of the game at the tackle point. This is the primary reason, in my mind, for New Zealand success in both versions of the game and it boggles my mind that the SA teams just can’t get it.

Thirdly, in conjunction with the second observation, is the fact that South Africa lacked explosiveness in the middle of the park. That is players that can snipe around the fringes and who can take the ball up with speed from the rucks and set pièce as well as players with bulk that can blow over at the breakdowns. Our halfbacks’ first instinct -when picking up the ball- is to go sideways instead of like a sprinter out of the blocks straight forward. The NZ halfbacks know that is what they need to do and the supporting players are actually expecting it because the main task/approach is to get depth and to blow over because that takes the first tacklers out of the game and create openings.

My fourth observation -also related to the previous two- was the fact that the South African players don’t blow over at the breakdowns. We clearly don’t understand the importance of it and it is not part of our game approach. On the rare occasion when it does happen our halfback is nowhere in sight to pick up the ball and we lose possesion anyway. Our run-on-the-shoulder support or diamond-format-support-systems are just not in place and therefore we are unable to recycle at speed and to create depth on attack.

The fifth observation was how our players run in support -in comparison to both Aussie and Kiwi players- when we move the ball down the backline. Our players drift sideways and run at a 45degree angle to the ball carrier. It makes it very easy for the opposition to push us against the sideline with the result that we need to keep playing the ball backwards or use scissors passes (fancy stuff) to try and create openings. The NZ support players in particular run straight and will angle inwards on the pass because the aim is again to first create depth and to punch holes in the defensive line instead of trying to go sideways around the defenders (like we are trying to do). NZ focus on doing the basics at speed while we try and create openings with fancy stuff. NZ run straight with speed onto the ball; they take the ball up with speed and blow over at the tackle point; they support in numbers and in speed with low body positions; they don’t throw 50/50 passes and they make sure they treat their possessions with respect (not losing it easily) – that is the basics that we just can’t seem to get right.

My sixth observation was with regard to drafting of 15 a side stars into the seven teams for the Common wealth games. Both NZ and Australia drafted a few players for selected tasks into the sevens side for the games. Players that could provide zip on the edges and bulk and explosiveness in the middle of the park. Why didn’t we do the same? We were struggling with injuries and a few 15 side stars like Spies, Basson, Habana (it could have done his self-confidence the world of good) could have made a big difference to our cause.

Lastly it is interesting how hard all teams find it to convert tries with drop kicks. I would estimate that 60 to 80% of all conversions are unsuccessful. In the 15 man code there are calls that a drop kick should be devalued; that is count less than the current 3 points because it is too easy. If it were so easy why are the seven a side kickers having such difficulty with it? Are they just to tired or is it not practiced enough? I found myself wondering whether these seven teams actually have kicking coaches because every three tries converted is as good as an extra try.

PS: For those that don’t understand the concept of blow-over read here. Look in particualr at the 11th and 12th paragraphs.