The Price of a Try in the All Blacks Backline
“I let Quinn [Tupaea] choose two plays a week and if they score off them, I donate money to the players’ fund,” All Blacks coach Blair said. This cash incentive program is the latest tactical experiment introduced to the All Blacks’ backline, as reported by the NZ Herald.
Blair Offers Cash Payouts for Successful Strike Moves
The scheme involves specific payouts for successful set-piece strike moves, with Blair offering $500 for one chosen play and $250 for another. During the recent test against Scotland, Blair paid $250 when Josh Moorby scored a try following a scrum platform and a skip ball from Jordie Barrett. Had Will Jordan scored on a similar strike move earlier in the match, Blair noted he would have been responsible for a $500 contribution.
Training Ground Variations to Matchday Tries
The All Blacks utilized set-piece moves to great effect against Scotland, with three of their seven tries originating from first-phase strike plays. Outside back Josh Moorby noted that the team draws these moves up early in the week to ensure roles and finer details are nailed down. For the players, the ability to transition these complex variations from the training ground to the match is a primary goal.
Forwards Keeping Defenses Guessing
While the backline manages their own incentive pot, the forward pack has contributed to the team’s attacking versatility through different means. Wallace Sititi scored the opening try after Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard executed a dummy move from a maul, and replacement hooker Asafo Aumua later scored after a blindside lineout switch. Scrum coach Jason Ryan emphasized that these set moves are designed to keep defenses guessing about what comes next.
Coaches Plan Special Play Variations to Exploit Defensive Gaps
The coaching staff, currently five months into their tenure, continues to emphasize set-piece stability and breakdown pressure. Forwards coach Neil Barnes indicated that the team has 10 to 20 potential special play variations in reserve. The team plans to continue assessing opponents to determine when specific strike moves can be deployed to exploit gaps around the edges of the defensive line.
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