The All Blacks play route-one, too — because it works
IT IS hardly surprising that Warren Gatland doesn’t appreciate the term ‘Warrenball’. It is not meant as a compliment, but it is a variation on what all leading sides are trying to do. In a nutshell, ex-England attack coach Brian Smith coined the phrase as a way of encapsulating how Wales — and the Lions on their last tour — seek to pound the opposition into submission with a structured and relentlessly physical onslaught. It is seen by some as outdated and ineffective, but in fact it is widespread and can be potent. Rugby tactics shift and evolve, but one constant staple of the game is winning the collisions to create space. Wales and the Lions have been direct because they have George North and Jamie Roberts and other huge battering rams, but to suggest they are so different to other teams is nonsense. Tellingly, the All Blacks — acclaimed for their invention — deployed Ma’a Nonu as a blasting midfielder for years before he added subtle layers to his route-one repertoire. When England stunned the world champions in 2012, their record win was inspired by Manu Tuilagi’s bludgeoning brilliance at outside centre. And when Gatland’s Lions claimed their series win over Australia four years ago, Roberts, Jonathan Davies and North were the heavy artillery who helped to make it happen. All Test teams are populating all positions with every giant athlete at their disposal. More than ever, the game is about big men breaking tackles and offloading. If that is ‘Warren-ball’, it is commonplace and it works.