Analysis: Wallabies & Argentina Score Against Springboks with EXACT Same Move

The match between the Springboks and Argentina this past weekend proved to be quite the pendulum swinger, with both teams clearly having the ascendency at different points in the match thanks to some contrasting tactics.

While the Springboks are tough to match physically, no one can deny the skillset of the South Americans, as was evident with their brilliant try in the 68th minute.

The try itself is an excellently executed set-move that is performed after a few phases in the midfield area, one that utilises three players (sometimes four) to pull off a sneaky play off the ruck area that exploits space to the side of the ruck.

It’s performed with the scrumhalf hitting a first-channel forward with a pass, who appears to be readying to pop the ball back to the No. 9 (who is running a dummy-loop behind the receiver and creating the perfect distraction). The forward will then throw a deceptive flat ball back into the inside channel for a winger or another backline player running an inside line. Often, players are still getting up from the ruck and not in position to stop the runner, or the defensive line has drifted wide to anticipate a (faked) looping play that the scrumhalf appears to be performing.

If it works out, the inside runner goes clean through, or at least finds some support once through the defensive line to finish the move.

In motion, it’s pure rugby poetry:

However, any keen observer will recognise this move — the Wallabies pulled it off in Round 3, and scored through it too.

It’s a clever and unpredictable move as to when it may happen, but the Springboks will need to keep that pillar defence around the ruck tight enough to prevent any slippery inside runners from exploiting the hole.

Oh, and for a bonus example, the Blues pulled it off against the Rebels in Super Rugby a few seasons back, with Kevin Mealamu adding a little bit of no-look flair too, along with Francis Saili’s glorious long pass to Melani Nanai:

It’s a great, simple move that can result in 7 easy points if timed right and pulled off flawlessly. The Wallabies and Argentina clearly identified the gap that the Springboks often leave next to the ruck, and one which they’re sure to cover after leaking two tries through it.