In the final written piece of this deep dive into Leicester Tigers, we look at the strength of their kicking game.
One of the key parts of any rugby side is their approach to the kicking game. As the modern game has developed controlling territory and “playing in the right areas of the pitch” has become even more important. Today we will take a journey examining Leicester’s own approach, before looking at why kicking is important, and then moving onto Leicester’s specific kicking tactics.
Kick To Win Rugby
The reasons for a high kick game have not always been best explained, with some finding it easier to call it boring and move on. But today we will look deeper. Using my database of 138 pro games covering leagues from the MLR to the Premiership to the International game, we can look at the kicking traits of winning sides.
Winners (in the non-Leicester Games) averaged 24.29 kicks per game, compared to the losers who recorded just over 21. By kicking more teams can turn the screw and move themselves up the pitch trying to get to areas where they can be most effective with their attacking weapons. This effect was even more marked in Leicester’s game with the Tigers averaging 36 kicks in the games they won but this fell to just 27.5 in the two games they lost.
This hopefully establishes why teams including Leicester have a high kick approach. However, team’s need also need to be able to kick well and on their way to the title the Tiger’s exhibited kicking skill in droves.
Kick To Pressure
We can divide their approach into two different types of kicking game. Firstly kicking to apply pressure, and secondly, attacking kicks.
Let’s start with how Tiger’s kicked to apply pressure.
This clip from the semi final against Northampton shows a great example of Tigers kick chase was able to exert significant pressure. The passage started with Tigers stealing a Saints lineout in their own half. Richard Wigglesworth kicks looking to gain territory but off the turnover there is no chance to organise their chase line. This means Tigers rely on their work rate to apply pressure and kill any chance of a counter attack.
Harry Potter makes a huge perfectly timed hit driving back the catcher. After a dominant tackle the remaining chasers get straight to work attacking the breakdown. Driving past rather than for the ball. This counter ruck secures an impressive steal, although Chessum is unable to gather the ball cleanly afterwards.
The following clip from the final against Saracens shows an even better example of their breakdown work post kick.
Here Richard Wigglesworth kicks from the back of a maul, aiming for distance rather than a competition in the air. He manages to kick over the head of Maitland buying extra time for the kick chase.
The kick distance also enables Tiger’s to organise their chase.
In the still above, we can see a huge gap between those in the 5m channel and Tommy Reffell at the tip of the spear. From this position Tommy Reffell only overtakes one Saracen’s player instead giving the rest of the chase time to catch up.
Maitland initially shows some good feet to get around Chris Ashton but only runs into a swarm of Leicester Tigers shirts. Ollie Chessum and a recovering Ashton combine to make a double shot, chopping down Maitland right in front of the Puma-cum-Tiger Julian Montoya. The Argentine pouncing immediately to snaffle the ball and make the turnover.
There is a bit of luck in this turnover for Leicester with Saracen’s hard work at the maul spinning it in such a way that both Chessum and Montoya get a head start on their chase. But it is also another clear example of the pressure that Leicester exerted with their kick chase.
Kicks To Attack
In the past two blogs I have examined ways of how sides may tame the Tigers. However in this piece, we will look at something coaches may want to add to their play book as pre season winds down and the real rugby returns.
During the season Tiger’s developed a range of attacking kicks to apply pressure to opposition defences. Let’s begin with their kicking on the first phase.
In this example Leicester Tigers play off the top of a four man lineout. Wigglesworth receives the ball early. The players in the lineout form an NFL-esque screen buying time for Wigglesworth to fire a pass to the Fly Half.
George Ford receives the ball and has time before the defensive line is able to apply pressure. This allows him to place a superb cross field bomb. The kick is aimed towards the right wing at JJ Hanrahn.
Steward dominates the air, leaping early and turning his back to JJ Hanrahan. This allows him to cut off the Clermont player’s access to the ball. tFollowing the superb take by Steward Leicester flood through in support. Another benefit of their superb work rate that’s been a feature throughout this series.
Harry Potter shows great awareness to support Steward. Holding his feet, ready for the offload from his Full Back. Steward does really well to release the ball, and Potter can take advantage. He then shows his finishing instinct, swerving the final defender to score.
This try away at Connacht is another great example of their attacking kick repertoire. Freddie Burns takes the ball from Wigglesworth. This gives the Leicester Fly Half time against the flat three press of Connacht. Murimurivalu has held his width, leaving himself acres of space in the 15m channel. It’s a superbly well taken try and is another example of Leicester’s kicking game on the first phase.
In this first phase kick by Tigers away at Sandy park we see a distinct change in strategy. Whilst in the first two clips we have seen the East Midlands side kick wider on this occasion they aim at the posts.
When defending in their own 22, some teams prefer to use a flat line and will typically have just a single player sweeping in behind. This means that the space around the posts can often be unguarded. And while spectacular Henry Slade defence prevents a score, it is an indication of a trend within Leicester’s kicking game.
On this occasion against Clermont, Leicester kicked following a couple of lateral phases. The kick from Jack Van Poortvliet is aimed into the centre field region dropping short of Clermont’s backfield coverage. This causes the sort of havoc that Leicester will have planned.
Clermont’s defence with a 13-2 has left the space and the kick finds the grass. Morgan Parra chases across to try and gather but can’t make the grab. This leaves a bouncing ball within the Clermont backfield. Leicester are then able to regather and attack inside the Clermont 22.
For the final example we return to the Leicester Tigers game at Sandy Park. George Ford has only just stumbled back into line having taken some medical treatment so Ben Youngs asserts control.
Youngs angles his kick towards the posts and splits the Exeter back field yet again. The kick is perfectly directed It bouncing away from Josh Hodge who was working the same way as the attack and has distanced himself from team mate Olly Woodburn. This distance forces Olly Woodburn to race across the backfield and play catch up.
This means all momentum is with Freddie Steward as he chases after the ball. Steward shows awareness to slow down his feet allowing Woodburn to run past. This means he is the first to react and regather the ball. It’s a strong finish from Steward and shows the benefits of attacking kicks being aimed at the posts.
Summary
The kicking game of the Tigers is simply a masterpiece, playing a key role in returning the Premiership trophy to Welford Road.
First they developed a kicking game based around pressuring their opponents and turning their defence into an attacking weapon. This was built primarily around a strong kick chase, and breakdown pressure. This suited their playing squad perfectly, especially with jackal specialists Julian Montoya and Tommy Reffell.
Secondly, they built a strong repertoire of attacking kicks. Whether it was first phase, or during phase play the Tigers added another level of threat with their attacking kicks. This is a weapon that teams at all levels can look to add to their repertoire ahead of the next season.
It was a joy to watch a team embrace the kicking game and be so precise in how they used it as a weapon. I for one am certainly looking forward to watching how Tigers develop this skill set further in the coming season.
The Analysis Guy 