An Armchair Coach's guide to beating the Cowboys = SPEED

This blog is calling for all the Unicorn Armchair Coaches to show how they would beat the Cowboys in Townsville.

I for one would rely completely on SPEED

NO !!!!! not that "speed" but speed in everything we do on the paddock.

1. The Eels have shown they have line speed in defence - this is a given against the Cows - we cannot afford to allow their forwards any room to move - thus line SPEED is crucial.

2. We need speed in attack - forget the one out forward bashing into the line - speed through the hands and make the Cows chase the ball from sideline to sideline. Wear down their big forwards then ATTACK with speed (see point 6).

3. Speed from Gordon, Jennings, Semi, Gutho when given just half a chance to break the line.

NOTE: I have not seen Gordon very involved in our attack on the few occasions we start a backline play.

Disclaimer - I have only watched 3 games and sort of listened to another so I could be wrong here. If I am feel free to enlighten me.

4.Speed of the play the ball - try not to get into wrestling matches in both defence and attack.

Make the Cows continue to play with no let up.

Drop them fast then get up quickly to make them play the ball.

This of course means we will need speed to reset our line and speed to get up in their faces.

5. Kick early and use our speed with the kick chase.

Keep turning them around and like we did against Moanly, force the errors from their catchers.

6. Speed from dummy half after 25 - 30 minutes into each half.

Tire their forwards then capitalise through the centre with SPEED men as mentioned above (Semi, Jennings, Gordon and Gutho)

7. Speed getting to their kickers (Thurston and Morgan)

Shut down, or severely limit these 2, and it will go a long way to upsetting them.

I don't even mind if Beau Scott gives away a couple of penalties by smashing Thurston on his kicks - in their half of the field though.

Now the major problem is this - Brad Arthur has not had the team moving the ball from sideline to sideline and Gordon has been conspicuously absent in backline movements - so - he only has one week to come up with some very fast plays and remedy this. Utilise the off load to maximum advantage

Where we do not need speed - the interchange.

This Unicorn Armchair Coach would be very slow to replace players in the first half unless they are completely stuffed and useless.

Save the majority of interchanges for the 2nd half (6 if possible)

Interchange is not always at the coach's discretion with injuries etc - but Arthur must be very prudent in his use of it against the Cows.

Cows are going to come at us hard from the first whistle so we need to be ready and use speed to counter their intensity.

This game is going to go for the full 80 minutes - NO LESS, and is our biggest test so far.

OK Unicorn Armchair Coaches - rip in.

You have to work over their middle third for the first twenty of each half , continually running your forwards in behind the ruck and turning the ball back inside. Once you've worn down their middle forwards expedient play the balls allow the shift to our danger men outwide. Marker defense is crucial in stopping Granville and the Cowboys go forward. The way to beat the Cowboys is same way to beat us.Unbrella defense to counter the attacking raids outwide and kick pressure. I'd also target Feldt with grubbers in behind the line earlier in sets, big men struggle to turn and chase. I can't beleive teams haven't targeted the Broncos and Oates with this tactic. If also like to see Moeroa run a inside line of a quick play the ball on a sweep play near the line.Short passing between the forwards will also tire the defensive side.

"He is bullshitting you. This kid is 18 and just spent the year playing for his school team. When SBW was 18 he was already playing reserve grade and dominating against grown men."

"This rugby player your talking about has the same ability as Sonny bill williams at the same age.thats what molsey told me at the pool comp at the pub anyway"

"What a shit off season, last year was 10x better, we haven't even signed anyone yet we have no replacement wingers if one is unavailable what's wrong with these spastics got get Murray, Averillo or someone. Knowing them they have probably already…"

Replies

Joseph April 17, 2016 at 4:28pm

We did a good job limiting Thurston in our first clash, shutting Thurston down shut's Morgan down.

The Cows know this and wait for defences to tire for Thurston to do his thing.

Our advantage is our fitness, we've proven to be relentless for 80 mins which is why we will win this game.
Bup April 17, 2016 at 6:04pm

You have to work over their middle third for the first twenty of each half , continually running your forwards in behind the ruck and turning the ball back inside. Once you've worn down their middle forwards expedient play the balls allow the shift to our danger men outwide. Marker defense is crucial in stopping Granville and the Cowboys go forward. The way to beat the Cowboys is same way to beat us.Unbrella defense to counter the attacking raids outwide and kick pressure. I'd also target Feldt with grubbers in behind the line earlier in sets, big men struggle to turn and chase. I can't beleive teams haven't targeted the Broncos and Oates with this tactic. If also like to see Moeroa run a inside line of a quick play the ball on a sweep play near the line.Short passing between the forwards will also tire the defensive side.
Tentonz April 17, 2016 at 6:52pm

More speed than Oxford Street
- Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" > Tentonz April 17, 2016 at 7:18pm
  
  lol -you stole that quote Tenz.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" April 17, 2016 at 7:44pm

So you are agreeing with me you demented old fossil.

SPEED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did EyeBall write this for you?
Tentonz April 17, 2016 at 7:46pm

Unashamedly
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" April 17, 2016 at 8:27pm

Isn't Gordon on a 12 month contract?

Haven't heard any mutterings about that being extended - and I am not aware of any young blokes who will be ready for the FB role in 2017.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER April 17, 2016 at 8:33pm

I would score more points for a start if that don't work will you can sack me
- Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" > ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER April 17, 2016 at 9:05pm
  
  Easier said than done Paul.
  
  While our F&A is the healthiest it has been for about the past 10 years it is far from convincing anyone we have an effective attack.
  
  However your comments do have merit and could actually win us the game.
  
  I don't think you will be hearing the call to SACK PAUL for a while yet. lol
Stevo April 17, 2016 at 8:50pm

If we do what we did against them last time (pointed out in the comments above) we will be well and truly in the match but the cowboys will have learnt a few things from that match and will be better prepared for this one.They need to be relentless in everything from taking quick kicks to the sideline from penalties, to playing the ball, to rushing up in defence BUT making it count and not falling off and allowing an offload. DO NOT let them rest for anymore then allowed, this will make not only physically tired but mentally tired which will allow us to play our more free flowing game.