NOLA and New England share an impressive match in MLR Round 5. Both sides scored some great tries, however NOLA managed to take back the lead with a particularly special effort. While it had more luck than the spectacular offloading of New England’s earlier score, this was a brilliant try working through the phases before finding a weakness and exploiting it.

The try starts from a New England 22m restart. The ball is kicked long and deep, aiming to allow them as much time to organise and pin NOLA back. NOLA receives the ball from the kick off and are immediately using a heavy carrier to disrupt the New England defence.

NOLA Gold immediately look for contact from New England 22 restart

As New England have come from a restart they are able to maintain a strong line and have 3 compact defenders in the ball carrying channel. This helps them to lock down any attack but it also gives NOLA additional space as this carry has been the focal point for those 3 defenders.

NOLA’s forwards with a nice tip pass to attack a weak shoulder

NOLA then begins to settle into a structure. Initially, they have a pod of 3 forwards off 9. They run a slanted line shape (as opposed to an arrowhead), meaning that a tip is an option and this helps them work round into a gap in the New England defence. By striking this hole, they can easily create momentum. It also has the effect of dragging in the outside New England defenders.

NOLA striking wide using Cam Dolan

NOLA immediately shows their intent. Here, NOLA has forced New England’s right winger to jump out the line. This play, despite the slightly lower camera angle, also helps us show NOLA using the 1-3-3-1, in part, with Cam Dolan striking in the wide channels. When they play from this width the formation becomes even more evident.

NOLA using the whole pitch to attack with options filling the width

As shown in the diagram above, NOLA are employing a floating 1-3-3-1 system. This is shown by Cam Dolan operating alongside Tongauiha in the wide channels, whilst the tight five have attacked in the middle pitch. Bursic, the blindside flanker, is acting as a floater and connecting player. Again, here NOLA are using flat lines rather than an arrow head. This first pod (3 players on blue line) have positioned yet again so as to expose the third defender from the ruck. By hitting this hinge of the defence, it forces a decision. In this example, it has provoked a slightly split defence. This is the same as above and plays a key role in sparking the final scoring passages.

NOLA hit wide with forwards screening pass options

NOLA then looked to attack wide, where Bursic’s pass from behind a screen player has enabled a partial drift on the running line. This means that NOLA have successfully isolated a single defender. On this occasion, it is New England’s number 20 who is caught out. NOLA have deliberately struck at this channel. By working at this “13” channel, NOLA have forced a mismatch allowing their own back row to wreak havoc out wide, whilst also guaranteeing space by holding inside defenders with the two screen forwards.

NOLA have a single runner slowing the ball, but good work in tackle results in clean ball

Following this wonderful phase however, NOLA slightly break down. Spreading the ball and constantly looking for an edge has stretched their tight forwards. This is shown by the replacement prop being behind playing and not being in support. Like they did previously, you would expect a pod of forwards for the 9 to use but instead, it is just a solitary runner.

This means New England can stop the runner and attempt a turnover. This phase, then, should produce slower balls. However, the ball presentation is clean and by turning his body in the tackle, the NOLA Gold player has enabled a clean and crisp ball for the scrum half. This fraction of a second enables the scrum half to control the tempo, rather than letting New England wrest control of the attack and force a reset.

NOLA strike off first receiver, blindside flanker Bursic, and create a hole

These small margins then allow a spark, which creates a genuine try scoring opportunity, primarily through the handling ability to the forwards. From the previous phase, the fly half has been used in the ruck, so instead NOLA have organised with Chilean blindside flanker Bursic playing first receiver.

NOLA have multiple options for Bursic as he stands in at first receiver

Bursic, circled in black, is playing a simple role, merely trying to control the defence and manipulate it in preparation for the next phase. Yet again NOLA has a slanted line, however this time it has only a slight gradient so all the options are available. While there is an inside option, the body shape of Bursic shuts it off.

However, the initial movement has held the defender’s feet. This is integral in creating the offload as it opens a disconnect in the New England line and allows NOLA to flood through.

The offload is created using the structure and NOLA flood through

This offload, another piece of magic by NOLA Golds forwards, is followed by Bursic looping round the corner to be a leading option on the next phase.

Bursic plays key role and is rewarded with the try

Bursic comes round the corner and is again at first receiver. With a second back out wide, he shifts the ball before holding ready to be a leader of another pod, luckily where the ball falls, and exposes a hole expertly opened by the NOLA players escorting the folding New England defence. This means that Bursic plays a line of individuals rather than a coherent (if rushed) scramble.

This try, therefore, shows the effect good ball-handling forwards can have within a structure. By basing their attack around a 1-3-3-1 formation, NOLA have a spread of carrying threats, with Dolan and Tongauiha operating like wrecking balls out wide. But then the slick handling in the middle of the field exploits holes left by New England, whether it was the initial tip pass on the second phase, or Bursic’s strong and commanding cameo at first receiver.

The fine and detailed planning behind the structure of slanted pods and their clear split was also essential in creating this try. By having all these ingredients, NOLA served up yet another brilliant score in an incredibly pulsating match.

Key match stats from Rugbycology reports