Former international third-row Olivier Magne (89 caps), consultant for Midi Olympique, has chosen to shed light on a lineout combination by Usap, defeating RC Toulon. An impeccably executed combination, also highlighting the search for free space.
“Rugby is quite a simple game in the end, much more than it seems. If the goal of attacking play is to find free spaces, create situations of imbalance to oppose a maximum of players against a reduced number of opponents, we see that it is the same in the lineout sector. In other words? What is true in offensive circulation and free play is also true on balls carried after an aerial conquest. Usap demonstrated this in a very beautiful manner on Saturday against Toulon. Thirty minutes into the game, the Catalans executed a combination perfectly. Undoubtedly, they had worked on it during the week under the guidance of their coach, Mathieu Cidre. A masterpiece of work that deserves applause.”
Initially, the Catalan lineup positioned in a 6+1 but structured in 1-3-2 with a central block of three players being aimed by the thrower. Max Hicks was the receiver. However, this block of three players shifted forward to better draw in the Toulon defense. Result? All Toulon players present dived with heads down, as often near the try line, to defend against the “jumping block.” Their goal was to defend an axial push. However, upon Hicks catching the ball in the air, the Perpignan support that organized to simulate a ball carry ultimately turned out to be a diversion… Result: this feint created a defensive isolation of Toulon players that the Catalans hastened to exploit. Before even touching the ground, third-row Max Hicks quickly deflected the ball towards Peceli Yato positioned at the five-meter corridor. Quickly supported by Joaquin Oviedo, who was previously in a supporting role, and second-row Adrien Warion from the back of the lineup. These two impacted strongly and created an initial advance. Only prop Dany Priso remained to defend and could not withstand the pressure, despite hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi coming to his aid. Initially formed by three players, the maul was quickly completed by two more elements: tighthead prop Pietro Ceccarelli and hooker Ignacio Ruiz. The balance of power inevitably shifted in favor of Usap, catching the Toulon players off guard and lacking reactivity. The advance was extremely fast, and third-row Joaquin Oviedo then scored the third Usap try. The advance was so quick that between the moment Max Hicks caught the ball in the air and the moment it touched the ground, only five seconds had passed. The combination worked perfectly. A real success for Mathieu Cidre and his players.
In summary, it’s a bit of a cat and mouse game. Do you see me? Now you don’t? I draw you into one corner to be better elsewhere. That’s what the Catalans did on Saturday with this lineout. And honestly, when each player is in the right place at the right time, it’s almost indefensible. What’s even more interesting is that this lineout was not played on a deep ball catch, which could have been returned forward and allowed Toulon to organize defensively. The Catalans chose to target that front block of three where the first jumper usually positions. A rather limited space that expanded thanks to this clever decoy. And that deserves a big round of applause.
Technical analysis of the action
1 – In this lineout, the Catalan alignment is set up in a 6+1 formation, with Joaquin Oviedo playing the role of the supporter. This alignment is structured in 1+3+2, suggesting there is only one jumping block in the middle.
2 – Hicks is the designated jumper and quickly passes the ball to Yato before touching the ground. The Toulon defense positioned to defend in the axis due to a decoy from the two supporting players in the back…
3 – In reality, the two supporting players only pass in front of Hicks and link up with Oviedo who snatches the ball from Yato. Usap ends up forming a maul of five (with hooker Ruiz joining) against a single defender: Priso
4 – The ball carry is well-structured. The advance is extremely rapid, with the Toulon defense caught off guard. Four Toulon forwards are completely out of the equation. The balance of power is in favor of the Catalans.
5 – The Toulon defense reacts too late, only able to slow down the progression of the Catalans’ maul, which is starting to disintegrate, before third-row Oviedo, the ball carrier, manages to break free.
6 – Joaquin Oviedo evades the last defender to score in the Toulon in-goal area. It took about 5 seconds from Hicks catching the ball to the try being scored. The result of a perfectly executed combination.
