Liam Toland: Ireland have the breakdown in hand, so what about breakaways?

According to Clonbur’s John-Joe Holleran, “what God left out even Joe Schmidt won’t put in”. This is relevant to Irish sport as style and game plan is constructed from the ability of the player. Irish soccer has long been excused a non-expansive style because apparently the player isn’t able to do otherwise. Harsh. But without ambition, you’re probably right.

When benchmarking Irish soccer and rugby a key differential centres on the basics. That Irish goal conceded from a Danish corner would never occur in a Schmidt team. Schmidt has put so much into Irish rugby players. They excel in so many basics, we can now evolve. But where?

Against two southern hemisphere teams Ireland chose to hold possession: New Zealand in Chicago last November and again against Argentina. In carbon copy plays in both games Ireland exited on their own terms, happy to rewind or test the edges of the breakdown to build yards up the pitch whilst building options.

However, if calm and patient exit possession means too many Irish players securing the recycle, then, options will evaporate. That Ireland have options confirms a clinical breakdown but who are the men contesting same? Seán O’Brien is one but he at long last has been freed to loiter across the pitch – last Saturday he occupied the tram tracks for periods. This is not an insight into his work ethic nor lack thereof but conversely the work ethic and technique of his team-mates which affords a subtle change in his game plan.

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Clear dart

I’ve long highlighted the incredible technique and execution of Rob Kearney’s breakdown play. Add to him the “compulsory” contribution of every Irish player to an incredible return from the breakdown. Peter O’Mahony is relentless in this area but that’s expected from a number six not a number 15.

Irish soccer lost focus on their “breakdown” play and it cost them five goals and a World Cup appearance. Schmidt has not only prioritised the basics of the breakdown but emphasised that everyone must contribute. Where they occur, who engages them and how they are engaged are all key – a simple thing like opening the correct side of the breakdown through prioritising what side to clear first, allows the scrumhalf a clear dart.

On Monday, I wrote about video analyst Mervyn Murphy and the play leading to Conor Murray's crossfield box kick wiper that could have given Adam Byrne an opening for a try. The detail that goes into same is unbelievable. Murphy and the Ireland management spot an opening, then devise a plan to lull the opposition into that scenario before striking the planned attack on the vulnerability.

The off the top lineout leads to Bundee Aki carrying into the heart of the Argentina side. Many options abound but ultimately Aki knows he must present the ball in a certain fashion. More importantly the support players must first add real value to Aki’s carry by selling their “options” before, regardless of position, clearing out in an exact Schmidt fashion. All designed to allow Byrne contest a crossfield ball one on one with seven points the reward.

But the preordained plays are planned and rehearsed ad nauseam which supports the positive breakdown return. What of less non-planned plays – or do they exist anymore? I wonder is it a coincidence that the impressive exits against the All Blacks in Chicago and Argentina in Dublin were not during World Cup or Six Nations “competitive” games.

Ireland have employed similar tactics in the Six Nations but not as patiently – the kick often arrives earlier. Maybe it’s down to the serious Six Nations competition or the positioning of the opposition’s back three. Regardless, our half backs are completely comfortable reading the evolving situation in the knowledge that the remaining 13 players won’t over commit to the breakdown, affording a raft of further breakdowns.

Mutual knowledge

The set piece combination of Tadhg Furlong and his new tighthead secondrow James Ryan add to this. Leinster’s scrum coach John Fogarty deserves credit in managing their mutual knowledge. With a quality set piece, exit strategy, comfort in multiple recycle rugby, more than fruitful set plays leading to line breaks and entry into the oppositions red zone all built on the back of phenomenal set plays, where can we improve?

Transition, of which there are two kinds.

First is a steal, pinch or forced turnover from lineouts/scrums, breakdowns or a simple handling error such as Stockdale’s try against South Africa. On receiving a turnover certain players still insistent on finding traffic where immediate width on the ball can maximise vulnerability. This needs work (in schools & clubs especially) but it’s easy. Recognise the turnover, its value and get it to where it can do damage. Several times on Saturday forwards ignored that possibility.

Second, the backfield, where I wonder about the back three transitioning plays. Are the breakdown recycle stats influencing same? Ignoring the Fiji game, there were key moments against South Africa where O’Brien and Francois Louw tangled over the breakdown. Louw didn’t win many but did manage to impact one vulnerable Irish transition from Kearney.

Does a vibrant transition from backfield, full of angles and pace, designed to punish a poor kick by attacking the opposition’s weakness risk the next recycle? Yes, but with such quality breakdown basics nailed it’s worth the growing pains (and possible losses) to get even better. The Six Nations rarely produces a transition try but that is where the entire team/organisation can orientate on Kearney, Conway et al to ensure, but more importantly insure, valuable breakaways.

PS: What an achievement from Joy Neville . . .

liamtoland@yahoo.com