From a LHS scrum Lions defend as a flat 4 From a LHS scrum Lions defend as a flat 4. The Blues’ set-up means the flat 4 get tight leaving space for the cross field kick on the outside. Halfpenny has a lot of ground to cover here and Beauden Barrett’s accuracy with the kick pass could make this a go to option for the ABs
This comes from a quick tap so unstructured play This comes from a quick tap so unstructured play. Look how tight the Lions defence is (12 players inside the 1st post. Also space behind the front line as 9 is in the line.
9 14 1 3 7 2 5 8 10 13 6 12 4 15 11 Unstructured play created from a quick tap and then going wide. Look at the space on the outside. 14 has had to cover across in behind as 15 has gone up on the end of the line. Also look at the personnel left on the far end of the line for the Lions (9, 1 & 3). Not who you would want out there – look out for ABs releasing here from the pod of forwards off 9 and Barrett looking for the cross field
15 11 Multiphase attack which means 15 is out of position having worked hard to the far touchline. 11 is up flat so there is space in behind as the Lions blitz. Expect the ABs to try and exploit this space with diagonal grubber kicks from midfield behind the rushing defence, especially behind North who is slow to turn.