NOLA fall just short but structure creates first try

Yet again the MLR didn’t fail to disappoint with a great game between NOLA Gold and San Diego Legion on which the rugby family could feast. Yet again the first try of the game provided a wonderful look at the structure used to create a score, with NOLA going through a high number of phases before winning a penalty and crashing over from the resulting lineout.

The main attack starts from a Lineout, coming from a reversed penalty. This means that the attack has the full width to attack. The Gold starts with a 5 man lineout. By starting with a preset pod at the front it concentrates the San Diego Legion competition at the front.

From here the gold forwards enter a spread formation, what shows is the speed of the spread. The set up has confused the Legion as they are left pulling in a man late. This contracts the Legion line and limits the mobility. This allows NOLA to hit the back pod relatively unchallenged setting a perfect platform for the attack.

The Gold’s first phase runs a striking play targeting the centre of the field. When attacking off a lineout, teams have 3 options to run at the seam between the lineout and the defensive line, the 10-12 midfield channel, or by trying to focus the outside centre. In this case, NOLA has aimed to attack the centre of the field to enable them to split the San Diego defence. These following phases from the Gold repeatedly aim to target the 15m channel and the edge of the Legion defence. By setting in the midfield, NOLA is forcing a decision to make with the hope of an edge or gap being created.

As shown in the clip there is a clear desire to play to the width. By using their 1-3-3-1 (something I’ll come to later), NOLA is stretching the Legion side and dragging the defence, as well as forcing a change in backfield coverage with the winger stepping in to cover the space.

This wide strike against a slightly disorganised defence allows a dominant carry. By playing a carry off the 10 yet again it holds the Legion defence whilst also making run timing considerably easier. In this case, Legion press towards the 10, and then turn their shoulders meaning any tackle will be less strong merely because it’s side on the attacker’s momentum should drive them through the tackle.

However, the key for NOLA here is the end of the clip and the transition from a striking play to structure. As alluded to earlier, NOLA plays a 1-3-3-1 structure with their forwards. This is a traditional formation in rugby, with the forwards forming this shape during long phases of play. With two of the back rower’s occupying the wide channels with the tight forwards occupying the centrefield.

As shown in the still image above, this is the NOLA version of the 1-3-3-1 structure. The Fly Half circled in red, sits behind the first pod of 3, with the second pod of 3 currently being assembled along with supporting back in behind, as a possible option. The point of this is to allow multiple options whilst allowing a simple structure which can be tweaked and adapted.

However, sadly for NOLA the attacks did breakdown slightly. On the phase from the still, they were subject to physical Legion defence and had to work to reset their shape and gather momentum. This is a key point in the attack as often teams may lose their way, but in this case, NOLA reset effectively and can soon begin to stretch the Legion out wide again, despite 3 stagnant phases.

This reset begins with an attack of 9 using two of the original pod of 3 whilst, the third rejoins from the ruck later on. As you see on the wide-angle just before the scrum halve’s pass, the Legion defence is travelling backwards ever so slightly from the previous pass and are forced to assess their spacings during this reset phase.

Whilst the Legion defence was having to tighten and then contract again, the NOLA gold attack was applying the finishing touches to their next strike. The Gold might get driven backwards but the similarities to the strike phase off the original lineout which began the move are difficult to ignore. The play centres on a pod of 3 with a back looping round the back as a fade option, with the pod fixing the 10-12 channel. This points to a strategic decision to target Ma’a Nonu’s channel. Off the original strike phase, he makes a hit on one of the supporting pod players, whilst here Nonu is forced to change his angle and make a hit on the outside pod runner. By doing this, NOLA can make momentum through the tackle. 

The effect of the momentum is clearest on the following phase, Nonu is forced to step in to guard whilst Gold has set up with their final forward being used out wide to expose the Legion. 

The offload is an extra little addition for the Gold, as it allows two advantages. Primarily it leads to the extra ground being gained, a clear and obvious advantage especially against a broken defence as they have to stop a second quick blow.

Secondly, the attack out wide has used the final forward, but by the forward offloading, he is then able to help secure the ruck and prevent any attempt of a counter ruck from the Legion. These little spots and individual decisions create the conditions in which a structure can succeed.

Following this phase, NOLA strikes back on the inside, again using the 1-3-3-1 structure. Firstly they play off 9 with a lovely tip on pass helping to force a one on one tackle and allow NOLA to keep the momentum flowing. Then the Gold plays off the 10 strikings slightly wider against a retreating defence before winning a crucial penalty for offside, a clear sign of the stress on the Legion defence.

The penalty is then kicked to the corner, and NOLA has a lineout 5m out. From where we can see the amount of skill that finishes an already incredible passage of play. The lineout called by NOLA is a 6+1 lineout with the number 8 in scrum-half position, a clear indication of a maul.

The Gold has set up with a middle pod, with a lifter at the front with the remnants of a pod ready to strike from the tail. This means that Legion has marked up man for man, but clearly, it is another clear indication of movement.

With all these clear indications of a coming maul, NOLA has set the perfect trap to ensnare the Legion. The first movement with a bounce out at the front means that the legion movement is forced to stop, and they are kept on the back front. It also takes perfect advantage of NOLA’s 6+1 call. The Gold’s extra forward at scrum-half can immediately step in to replace the bounced player and latch onto the ball. 

But while the speed is key, the more important aspect is the direction at which he joins. As he can only bind and receive the ball once NOLA hit the ground he is automatically travelling the same way as the Legion drive. Legion has tried to pile force through the rear lifter and the jumper, aiming to tilt the maul and drive it towards the touchline. However, as the lifter and jumper know the front peel is coming, they can merely loosen their bind and act passively, meaning the Legions force spins the maul away rather than creating a directional push.

The final key aspect of try is the front of the maul, sadly obscured from the camera. As NOLA pivots with Legions force, they shear the maul to the blinds side and attack the seam between the front marker (now in Legions drive) and the Legions front defender. This allows a free run to the try line, and the number 4 second row from Legion is unable to identify the threat and as such prevent any challenge on the line.

This try from NOLA then is built primarily on structure and game control. The structure being fed from coach, Nate Osborne, based around the aforementioned 1-3-3-1 formation creates momentum and allows comfort creating momentum. Secondly, the game control within this structure is exquisite with everyone knowing their role. The stagnant phases do occur but the ability to reset and then exploit opportunities shows a real maturity and on-field assessment aspect to the attack. Finally, in the maul, they show great cohesion, again based around structure and anticipation with everything falling into a neat package as NOLA struck first against the San Diego Legion. 

Sadly it wasn’t enough and Legion eventually showed more coolness and fought back with the higher conversion rate. However, the ratings overall did favour NOLA with an especially strong defence. So we should continue to see strong showings from the Gold. Legion did march on, however, and whilst they struggled initially it was a mark of pedigree that kept the Western conferences unbeaten start on the track.