The All Blacks play route one, too

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, the phrase is 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 It is regarded by some as outdated and ineffective, but is widespread and can be potent. Rugby tactics shift and evolve, but one constant is winning the collisions to create space. Wales and the Lions have been direct because they have George North, Jamie Roberts and other huge battering rams, but to suggest they are so different from other teams is nonsense. The All Blacks deployed Ma’a Nonu as a blasting midfielder for several years. When England stunned the world champions in 2012, their record win was inspired by Manu Tuilagi’s bludgeoning brilliance at outside centre. All Test teams are populating all positions with every giant athlete at their disposal. If that is ‘Warrenball’, it is commonplace and it works.