ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire reviews the 1st XV final between Otago Boys' High School and Southland Boys'. OBHS won 16-10.
The team that took their chances....
... was the one that won the game. Well, their early chances at least. Despite holding a 13-0 lead late in the first half, the score line certainly flattered Otago Boys'. Only three times did they genuinely look like scoring and every time they did just that. Southland Boys' had their share of field position and possession, but were unable to convert this into points on the scoreboard. Perhaps the most cardinal of these moments came when they turned down a very kickable shot at goal while trailing 6-0. They had already taken two shots and although they missed, showed that this one most likely would have been made.
Instead they opted to ride their luck. They proceeded to turn the ball over and Otago Boys' cleared. The home side then promptly won a penalty, plugged the corner well and scored a try via a well-worked lineout drive. When Sio Tomkinson kicked the conversion, what could have been a 6-3 score line had become a 13-0 score line. In a close game these sorts of moments are crucial and that Otago Boys' took such a large lead in such a tight game was a large reason why they emerged as victors.
Contrasting backlines
There was a clear difference in the approach each backline took. This became very evident in the second half. Southland Boys' was the more enterprising of the two, running the ball and playing a more expansive game in the second half to try to break through the Otago Boys' defence. They found plenty of space up the left side, with fullback Jack Lewis coming into the line well and George Karamena linking with him on the wing. Both showed good pace and made multiple breaks, forcing Otago Boys' to scramble. So often the blue and white hoops were down to their last man on defence, but every time that last man did his job. The Southland Boys' backline passed well, out in front of the recipient and was far livelier than the more conservatively-minded Otago Boys' team.
Otago Boys' were content with using their midfielders to crash the ball, while also using the boot to kick for space. This yielded mixed results, with accuracy at times being a problem. On a soft, muddy ground it was perhaps the right idea, as changing direction at pace was tough. However, while they were tidy, they did not look like cutting their opposition up in the backs and relied on a big forward pack. This is okay of course, but they might need a bit more when it comes to playing a team with a pack as big, or bigger, than their own.
Forward-runners body positions
One of the key indicators that this game was a step up from most of the others in this competition came in the way the forwards took the ball into contact. Both teams boasted big forward packs with some strong ball-runners who were keen to get their hands on the ball. But neither had great body position going into contact. Otago Boys' in particular were guilty of this. Too many times they were too high and not protecting the ball sufficiently well.
For the most part they got away with it, although it was slowing their ball down. This is probably a consequence of being the two dominant teams in the Highlanders First XV competition. Smaller and weaker opposition would struggle with the size of these two packs and their body positions would make little difference to this.
Against bigger teams, they will not get away with it though. If they are to progress further, Otago Boys' will come up against players just as big, if not bigger, than themselves. These opponents will be able to match the big forward runners for size and strength and hold them up or rip the ball off them. It is not a hard thing to fix, the players just need to make a conscious effort to get lower when going into contact.
Set-piece
The set-piece battle very much came down to the Otago Boys' scrum versus the Southland Boys' lineout. It is no secret that the Otago Boys' forward pack is massive and this no doubt helps them win their scrum ball. But this was no small Southland Boys' pack either and Otago Boys' definitely got the better of the scrums, at times pushing their opponents back to put them under pressure. This has to be very encouraging for them.
Both lineouts were good, but the Southland Boys' one was especially efficient. They were outstanding throwing to the front and middle, with two tall locks - Jack Capil and Ben Fotheringham - providing good, high targets. Their lifters were tall too, meaning they were able to get a few extra inches off the ground and hooker Flynn Thomas was on the money with his throws. It was very South African-like, in that there was little movement or deception. They kept it relatively simple, just jumping, throwing and backing themselves to beat their opponents. Both locks had good technique, exploding off the ground and keeping their legs straight and together well to make for an easy lift. It is not easy to win ball as easily as this at the front, showing just how good Southland Boys' were in this area.
Stand-out players
The best thing about watching schoolboy rugby is trying to pick the top talent. It was a tough game to stand out in, being so tight and intense, but there were a few players who shone. For Otago Boys' second five-eighth Sio Tomkinson had another strong game. He kicks the ball well, timing it perfectly and carving off great distance. Kicking at goal he has a very front-on style and only comes off three steps, but hits the ball so sweetly and accurately that it just seems to fly off his boot. Defensively he hits hard and seems far more patient and mature in this area than in past years too, while also possessing a solid skill-set and the ability to offload in the tackle. Definitely a player to watch, and the only question mark over his game is whether he has the pace to make it to the top level.
It would be unfair to pick out one player from a forward pack which operated well as a unit. They attacked the breakdown aggressively and got around a soft field reasonably well. Under pressure they did not yield on multiple occasions and performed well at set-piece time. Kadin Brocks had a strong game at halfback too, providing energy and a nice pass.
Brocks' opposite, Liam Howley, had a strong game too. He possesses a pass with tremendous length in both direction, while also sniping and kicking well on occasion. Jack Lewis and George Karamaena both looked dangerous up the left side of the park, Lewis timing his run into the line well and Karamaena showing pace. In the Southland Boys' forwards, prop and captain Shaun Stodart got through plenty of work, memorably working hard to make possibly a try-saving cover tackle on Otago Boys' wing Chris McNoe. No. 8 Sam Tavui was busy too and did well controlling the ball off a scrum which was at times going backwards.
