Article summarises statistics provided by Opta and some from Warren Gatland; with headline stats:
- This RWC saw fewer offloads per game than any other.
- The average number of phases per possession dropped to 1.8, compared to 3 in 2019.
- Ball in play time dropped marginally to 34.18 minutes / game - but excluding halftime breaks some games took over 100 minutes total to play out.
- Tackles per game have grown to 169, up from 129 in 2019 & 119 in 2015.
- Kicks per game (might) have grown, Gatland suggesting 57 per game, the highest since 1995.
- 25% of all kicks are box kicks.
Union has always been a kicking game. With the 50/22 rule, it was reinforced even. Held up is now a goal line drop out too. But the size of players and quality of defense has really meant that big teams can grind out wins. And the spectacle suffers
The bench needs addressed first. 7-1 splits are a mockery and we start to look like NFL with almost whole packs changing. Drop it to 4 is my advice, bring back the tighthead that can play loosehead.
Trial the removal of number 8. More space, more running.
Reduce spot kicking times. 45s and 60s for a conversion is plenty. The extra time gives players that extra recovery time, and they all take it, meaning bigger players.
Water breaks scheduled. No water at other times