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What is the theory behind restarts up the middle?Why did Australia and South Africa buck the trend and restart up the middle rather than to the corners in their recent Rugby Championship game? Nick Bishop details why and the problems it creates for the receiving teams.
How to get the most out of your turnover defence at the ruckNick Bishop looks at the creative solution All Black coaches have created to overcome captain Sam Cane’s reduced his effectiveness in the tackle area, as a pilferer of opposition ball, due to his neck injury.
How to use the tip-on pass without tipping it offThe tip-on pass off 9 can be effective when you draw the defender up on point opposite your forward receiver.
Analyst Nick Bishop examines how you can make even more effective.
The theory of marginal gains in player developmentThe theory of marginal gains has been around for the best part of two decades. However, Nick Bishop highlights, citing All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho’s recent Ellis Park test performance as an example, marginal gains can have a momentum-gathering effect during a game.
Latest trends in the kicking game from San JuanHardly a week goes by in the international game, without further proof of the value of a well-directed kicking game.
Using the recent Argentina Vs Wallabies match, Nick Bishop highlights why it is one of the keys to success at any level of the game, whatever your preferred style of play as
How far can you push the boundaries on the kick-chase?The aerial contest is a very important part of our game but when does the contest become dangerous play and an accident waiting to happen.
Nick Bishop analyses the aerial contest’s current form highlighting the recent Springbok All Blacks 1st test.
Why a tight forward needs more than one string to his (or her) bow!One of the main thrusts in the professional era has been to up skill the tight forwards so that they can become attacking threats in their own right, not just providers for the backs.
Nick Bishop highlights Ireland’s Dan Sheehan as a prime example of the modern tight forward evolution.
Why couldn't the ABs defend the short-side?Ireland had no difficulty in creating and exploiting short-sides against New Zealand throughout the entire series.
Nick Bishop illustrates how the Irish achieved this attacking dominance and gestures towards a much more deep-seated problem
How to use the kicking game against 14 menWhy use the kicking game against 14 men?
It is easy to see ‘run’ rather than ‘kick’ when your opponent loses a player to the sin-bin, but as Nick Bishop highlights from recent internationals, there are good reasons to kick.
How the first Test against Ireland challenge the rules of scrummagingNick Bishop provides insight into how the The All Blacks got away with some scrum laws infringements in their 1st Irish test which contributed in their success.
How to use the left-footed kicking game to your advantageA good left boot could help stretch the backfield defence to both corners of the field. The recent tour match between Ireland and the Maori All Blacks was an object lesson in the importance of left-footed kicking.
How to find the pressure points with the midfield kicking gameThe kicking game is employed in between the two 10m lines for attack purposes. However, as Nick Bishop explains, it only really works if you have a specific target in mind.
