Johnny Sexton drives Irish hopes against strong Springboks 7-1 bench strategy

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Johnny Sexton will play against South Africa tomorrow

Saturday’s fixture Ireland v South Africa is a moc-Cup Final. It sees Johnny Sexton drive Irish hopes of a pinnacle World Title while defending title-holders the Springboks utilize their advanced 7-1 bench strategy.

Ideally, fans could view this match-up later in the draw – your number one versus numbered teams two, three, or four should be designed for clashes later in the draw. Maybe at a semi-final level due to how top seeds usually play those numbered eight or seven so for the Irish to meet the formidable South Africans now, the one benefit for the winner is bragging rights – no trophy. The Boks have that with their win over the All Blacks at a sold-out Twickenham prior to the World Cup commencing.

This Saturday you have to play to your best, even using strategy and tactics they might have best been saved for the end of October. But play weakly, and it could be at your peril for many reasons. One being team confidence, as well as in fan support levels and/or, the next opponent is even more highly motivated to defeat you.

So for your top players, it is a time to show class. Thus re-enter Johnny Sexton to produce quality at the right time.

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Johnny Sexton drives Irish hopes against strong Springboks 7-1 bench strategy

The Irish captain just returned from an enforced International absence for his behaviour toward EPRC officials, so what does he do to open the Rugby World Cup? Add a new degree of pedigree to his resume is what he does, and points his good ship Ireland toward a well-deserved quarter-final place. Defeating a pumped-up Tonga 59-16, and accelerating away from an enterprising Romania on the opening weekend, 82-8.

The team played well, better than others had on consecutive weekends. His own manner and his positive influence in the first two Ireland RWC outings was commendable. New record points scorer for all Ireland rugby union, so a personal record for Sexton that could be a significant mark of his representative career.

The first five-eighth role drives every capable side. Provincial, domestic, and International, the one quality evident is a number 10 that works the ball and works the opposition. Sexton has done that, and will continue to do so if form is on his side over the next month. Not if the Springboks can conjure up a win over Ireland. It is a possibility fans in emerald green must accept. Although players will give their every bit of energy preventing a Bok victory.

That means the third Ireland game is critical; even if a loss is not a death knell, it could feel like one [ask New Zealand]. South Africa has thought it through in that same tactical way, and will continue the much-maligned 7-1 bench strategy against Ireland. One that may have been criticized even while others applaud it. Mind you, it could all be a diversion to take away from the rotation of backline stars. Faf de Klerk cannot play 80 minutes for each and every Test match. So use all his energy in key matches, like against Ireland, and rest he and key men as you will find all leading nations must do.

Repeating their new action is designed in part to drop a ‘bomb’ on the opposition by introducing such a high number of forwards that they overwhelm the opposing players. Forwards present better ball speed and territory, allowing fitter backs to run the offensive patterns to run rampant on the unsuspecting opposition. Although it is a clear tactic, with the only variable being ‘what time in the second 40 minutes, does the bomb squad enter play?’

Ireland v South Africa the clash of Round Three RWC

Andy Farrell will have his own combative strategy in the clash of Round Three RWC, but is patient and well-practised in his role with Ireland, and prior to that, England. The methodology of such numbers packing the bench can be mitigated. And in their own gameplan, not backing down and even looking for smart field position using 50-22 kicks from Sexton and halfback Connor Murray, converting each and every opportunity in reaction to the 7-1 bench strategy.

Below is how assistant coach Paul O’Connell believes his side may counter the bomb squad on Saturday:

Of note, more than any one man is required to defend the 7-1 bench strategy. Organized defence is primary, identifying set moves and familiar lines. It is not a fait accomplay that the South Africans will be stronger than the Irish in the second half.

Even when it works, there is a risk for the Springboks. Injury or an on-field sanction like a Yellow or Red card may affect the way Jacques Nienaber calls his men to the substitution lineup call. In the event of an outside back falling ill, seeing Dean Fourie or Kwagga Smith running at second-five is not out of the imagination. The one downside is that to maintain scrum parity, any lost players from the pack means less defence in the backline. The risk is real.

Nienaber explained in his news conference response, how it is not the number of backs (Smith included) that matter, just the influence substitutions can make. He reiterated that his method is not replicating the way the 7-1 bench strategy was used against New Zealand. That is not the same rationale in play here.”It must work against Ireland, we must believe it will work against Ireland”.

Note: the continuation of a 7-1 bench strategy relies on the fitness of your forwards. After the massive loss this week of Malcolm Marx, the Springboks now rely heavily on Bongi Mbonambi to shore up the front row. He and replacement hooker Ox Nche will now carry a lot more weight on their shoulders, especially with the pace Ireland may utilize to combat the ‘bomb squad’ mentality.

If Ireland spend too much time analyzing the tactics, and they do not rely on proven attack themselves, it could be their downfall. To overreact in a way; go into a formation not familiar that could unravel the influence that Johnny Sexton can have on his side. So for many observers, it is the assumption Ireland will change their own game tactics in defence of an inbound 7-1 bench strategy, that might be a weakness. To ‘not react’ is a better collective response.

Ireland could choose to overanalyze the situation. It might confuse the ingrained play this side has developed. So to play their own game, to be aware yet ‘not wholly focused on the bench’ could very well be how Ireland drives their hopes of a maiden Rugby World Cup reign.

Ireland v South Africa – Pool B match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Saturday September 23

 

Photo credit: RTÉ Sport on Wikimedia, CC BY SA 3.0

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