Western Force Locks v Other Aussie Locks
Selection of the the two run-on Wallaby Lock positions present just one of the challenges for coach Michael Cheika.
Call me "old fashioned" but I believe Locks should be regular winners at Line Outs.
The Line Out set piece is critical for gaining or retaining possession and for maintaining momentum.
Who do you think should be the Wallaby Locks? We need 4 in the squad.
How did the Western Force Locks perform in 2015?
How do they compare against the other Aussie Locks?
Will we miss Sam Wykes in 2016?
Note: VS = Wilhelm Steenkamp; WS = Will Skelton. Mafi will be playing for Tonga at the RWC.
(Hit CTRL and + keys together (as many times as needed) if you can't read the numbers .
My apologies TWFers. Discovered an error in my data which only effected Lopetii Timani's info.
Have corrected the plots and the comments.
Attachment 3884
1. Neither Skelton nor Timani should be run-on Locks IF they can't win Line Outs.
2. Only Simmons and Horwill put any real pressure on opposition Locks.
3. Sam and Wilhelm amongst the better Tacklers - with the lowest Missed Tackles.
4. Steve makes the least Tackles.
Attachment 3885
1. Adam and Steve have the highest Run Meters per Carry.
2. Sam and Steve in top group for Defenders Beaten (Sam higher than Skelton)
Attachment 3886
1. Sam and Steve in the top group for Passes and Off Loads.
2. Skelton has the highest level of Off Loads. Some people like his running game, his ability to draw defenders and create holes in the defence.
3. Unfortunately Aussie Locks generally don't score many tries.
4. Timani with his good running game and scores tries at 4x the rate of other Locks. He would make a good 6 or 8.
Attachment 3887
1. Simmons shows strong support for ball carriers.
2. Adam and Wilhelm in the top group for involvement Defensive rucks.
3. Steve gets the most Turn Overs (from one of the lowest Defensive ruck involvements)
Attachment 3888
1. All of the WF Locks are at the higher end of Handling Errors (about 1 per game)
2. Adam and Steve are close to a Penalty per game.
3. Horwill close to double the Penalty rate of others.
Other Comments:
1. There are usually 10-15 Line Outs per game.
2. The hope would be to at least negate the effects of those teams with better Line Out exponents and not lose Line Outs.
3. Fardy averages 3 LOW per game. One reason why he continues to be the preferred BSF.
4. McMahon averages only 1.5 LOW per game.
5. Hooper and Pocock average only 0.4 LOW per game.
6. Our possible No8s have Line Out Wins as follows: Higginbotham - 2.5; McCalman - 1.5; Palu - 1.2.
7. The selection of Hooker is also critical.
8. Not all players have the ability to turn good Super Rugby form into Test form. The stats from last years' EOY Tests show indicate that some players perform at an even higher level.
9. Rory Walton is not yet performing at a level which matches other Aussie Locks.
10. The Western Force needs to recruit another ball running Lock. Hopefully one with a good serving of mongrel.
11. Will we miss Sam Wykes in 2016? Sure will.
