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Attacking Trends: Fake Blocks and Pivot Shapes
Pivot Shape
We lost ourselves in the 2023 State of Origin series over the last few weeks but I’m circling back to the NRL today.
The regular season is 17 rounds old and most clubs (sorry, Easts) have more or less worked out their attacking systems. As combinations develop on the park, we’re starting to see those systems take effect in how teams use the ball in attack.
It should come as no surprise that the Penrith Panthers are leading the pack.
Over the last few seasons, the Panthers have consistently been at the forefront of any new attacking trends or shapes in the NRL.
In 2021 it was this cross-field attacking kick from dummy-half:
In 2022 it was this strange looking, backwards-facing pass:
And in 2023, the latest Penrith pet-play is this wrap-around pivot shape on the edges:
I gave Lindsay Smith a shout-out in NRL Round 16 when he chimed into this backline movement, crediting the Panthers systems for not missing a beat regardless of the personnel available.
It was great skill and vision from Smith to catch, pivot and pass to the space on his outside like this, but it looked more like eyes-up footy rather than a planned move.
When Penrith fell into the exact same shape the following week though, it became obvious this was something they have practised for:
Again, there’s a big prop forward filling that pivot role on the edge.
You could plug a fullback into that position but it might betray the intentions of this shape. By running a front-rower hard unders towards the posts here, the Panthers look for all money like settling towards the middle and the defence reacts accordinlgly.
The involvement of Mitch Kenny from dummy-half adds to the deception:
When Kenny darts from hooker and heads directly towards the A- and B-defenders, Newcastle’s defensive line folds inwards.
And when James Fisher-Harris pours onto the pass running hard outside-in, the defence again turns in to contain the threat.
As a result, the Knights right edge is horribly short and disjointed when Fisher-Harris pivots and passes out the back into a five-on-three situation.
Give it some time, but we’re going to see a few rival NRL clubs try this shape on over the next few weeks. Not every team has a front-rower who can fill this role, but it’s not hard to picture Payne Haas or Tohu Harris doing something similar for the Broncos or Warriors, respectively.
Fake Block Shape
I’m obsessed with this shape right now.
The beauty of the fake block is in it’s simplicity.
In a world where most NRL clubs employ the same shapes and defend within the same systems, introducing slight variations to traditional movements is often the difference between the good sides and the poor ones.
The fake block is exactly that.
Where a traditional block shape is designed to force a specific defender into a position – either turn in to check the lead runner or turn out to take the jockey – the fake block is a little different.
Instead of engaging a defender and testing his decision making, the fake block looks to create a numbers advantage on the outside by using both players in the block shape, rather than hitting either the lead or the jockey:
In the below example, Moses Suli has Kenny Bromwich lined up on his inside shoulder and Brenko Lee sweeping out the back. He stays tight in the line to check the lead runner, but when Bromwich catches and bounces to his outside, the picture changes:
Suli suddenly has two attackers at either shoulder and is stuck in the mud.
Seeing what’s unfolding from the wing, Matthew Feagai jams in but can’t get to Lee in time to shut the pass down.
AJ Brimson and Brian Kelly did it best against the Wests Tigers in NRL Round 15:
When Kelly takes possession on the lead line here, Starford To’a turns in to help Brandon Wakeham make the tackle. He doesn’t – or can’t – adjust in time though when Brimson pops up on the outside to create the numbers advantage.
If he had slid out on Brimson here, To’a would be leaving Wakeham one-on-one with Kelly close to the line – an action that also likely ends in a Titans try.
While it’s easy to watch from the couch and see what’s coming, it’s a different story when defending in the line and under fatigue.
Defenders will premeditate a movement based on how the attacking team falls into shape, and that’s where subtle variations like the fake-block can be so effective.
It shouldn’t surprise that the Penrith Panthers were ahead of the curve on this one, too.
Way back in 2021, we saw Cleary and Matt Burton combine for this action:
Three years later and we’re seeing more and more NRL clubs add this fake-block shape to their arsenal.
Head Noise – What’s living rent free in my head this week?
Siua Wong
The barnstorming backrower is named to make his long-awaited NRL debut this weekend for the Roosters and I’m here for it.
We saw glimpses of him in the pre-season trials but Wong has been carving up the NSW Cup competition ever since.
From 15 games played in the backrow this season, Wong averages 149 running metres per game with a total 35 tackle busts, 19 offloads and a tackle efficiency of 94%.
Listed at 189cm and 107kgs, Wong has spotted up in the centres, on an edge or at lock-forward throughout his junior career and should get a few minutes in the forward rotation this weekend against Manly.
In the words of the Rugby League Guru, this kid could be anything.
Cowboys kicking on
The inclusion of Jeremiah Nanai on North Queensland’s right edge has triggered an immediate improvement to the Cowboys attacking systems.
He’s a damaging ball carrier but it’s Nanai’s pre-line passing and offload ability that is pulling defensive units apart right now.
He gives that right edge great variety in how they attack, and it spells danger for the unfamiliar pair of Daine Laurie and Shawn Blore defending together for Wests Tigers on Saturday night…
Sebastian Kris Appreciation Post
While Xavier Savage sits on the wing in NSW Cup, Sebastian Kris continues to impress in the No.1 jumper for Canberra in the NRL.
In Round 17, Kris notched up 234 metres (77 in post-contact) from 25 carries, making one linebreak and batting a kick back for a Matt Timoko try.
Whatever he lacks in ballplaying ability, Kris is more than making up for in his volume of work. He’s putting himself in the picture and forcing the defence to consider him, whether or not he touches the ball.
Pair that with the yardage game of Albert Hopoate lately and the Raiders are having no trouble working themselves upfield.
It won’t surprise to see Savage back in the side at some point but it’s difficult to disagree with Ricky Stuart right now.
Tyrone Munro
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are in a serious slump and a rookie winger won’t provide an immediate fix.
Still, it’s exciting to see Tyrone Munro named as 18th man in NRL Round 18.
From three NSW Cup games this year, Munro has two tries, two try assists, 10 tackle busts and an average 156 running metres.
He’s lightning quick and a genuine finisher – two things the Rabbitohs are looking for on their right wing.
He’s been fast tracked through SG Ball into the NSW Cup over the last six months, and there’s rumours he’ll make his NRL debut this weekend against the Warriors.
RLW Percentage Play
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North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers (Saturday)