Cardiff Blues will have a strong New Zealand influence in the coming season with new director of rugby Mark Hammett, being joined by fellow countrymen, Jarrad Hoeata and Gareth Anscombe. The Kiwi influence is heading Cardiff from Super Rugby, a far different league to the Pro12. The skill level is higher and the style of play is more open, particularly in Hammett’s former team, the Hurricanes and Hoeata’s former team, the Highlanders.
It is easy to watch these franchises and say that they are simply ‘chucking the ball about.’ In fact, there is far more to the game plan and although they pass the ball far more than other teams do, they do so very accurately and very efficiently. It makes them a constant counter attacking threat and entertaining to watch as their scintillating backs are allowed to play a fluid game plan.
So to Anscombe, how does he change the Blues game plan? Mark Hammett, who is known as ‘the Hammer’ has said that he cannot play exactly the same way with the Blues as he did with Hurricanes. He is right; the Blues simply do not have the personnel to play that style. However, Anscombe represents the first piece in the jigsaw as Hammett works towards his ideal game plan. With the Hurricanes, Andre Taylor was a constant threat from full back last season and counter attacked from any loose kicks. Anscombe is seen as a replacement for Leigh Halfpenny in my view, and his natural pace allows his to counter attack, rather than simply kick the ball back to the opposition.
It may seem a small change to the game plan, but if the fullback is kicking for touch then as a team you become far more set-piece orientated. With Anscombe’s acceleration and counter attacking ability the Blues will be playing a more open game bringing the backs in to play far more often. If the Blues adopt this game plan, young Welsh outside half Rhys Patchell, can remain in his preferred position.
Cory Allen is crucial to the way that the Blues will play. The young centre has all the attributes to become a regular international centre in the future. Allen has the power to consistently get across the gain line and also has the soft hands to but teammates through a gap in the defence. A ball in hand game plan will suit the young Welshman down to the ground and he could flourish as a ‘second five-eighth.’ This is a New Zealand term, which essentially means a playmaking twelve. Patchell, as outside half, is the ‘first five-eighth.’
So, why is this just the start of the revolution? It is far from a complete process, some players will adapt very quickly to the changes at the newly named BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, and others unfortunately, will struggle. One area the Blues may struggle is in the pack, they do have a solid pack at set piece time, but some forwards do struggle to adapt to a ball in hand tactic. They will be forced out of their comfort zone and will have to improve their basic pass and catch skills no end if the tactic is to work. This is an area in which the Southern Hemisphere is a long way ahead of the Northern. Their forwards are smarter and have far superior handling skills, meaning that putting the ball through the hands is possible even if a tight-head prop finds himself in the line.
Another area the Blues do not yet have the personnel for this tactic is on the wings, in many game plans the wingers are simply stuck on the end of the line ready to finish, something that suits the Blues’ Alex Cuthbert very well. At the Hurricanes, the wings have a far greater responsibility, like the fullback they are expected to counter attack. This is not just aimlessly running the ball back; it means finding the gap and exploiting it, not being turned over and presenting quick ball. For all Alex Cuthbert’s qualities I do not see him fitting well into this system and doing the job that Julian Savea and Cory Jane have done so well for the Hurricanes.
It is set to be an interesting year under ‘the Hammer’ for the Blues. I would not anticipate an immediate adoption of the Hurricanes flowing style but instead see it as the end goal and use this season as a ‘work in progress’ year. It will certainly be entertaining whatever happens.
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