New tactic by Anderson proves successful
Sydney Roosters coach Chris Anderson started the season off on a high note, notching a win against the Wests Tigers in the inaugral Foundation Cup.
In what was a scrappy affair, one interesting point to come out of the match is the way Anderson structured his defence line.
Noted in the past for implementing unique styles and tactics, such as the flat in your face attacking ploy - Anderson this time employed a 1 ruck marker tactic for the majority of the game.
This 1 marker at the ruck, allowed the Roosters an extra man in the defensive line. Anderson also chose to drop this extra man slightly behind the line.
The half back was the player dropping out of the line in defence - the benefits being two-fold; the half back gets to rest in defence a little more and can also cover for chip kicks or opposition busts through the first line.
While this tactic may have been employed specifically for the trial match to 'hide' the half back from harm or even hide a tackling problem the young halves may have had - it will be interesting to see if Anderson uses this tactic more in the NRL rounds and also if other teams take the idea and refine it further.
On the other hand, having only 1 marker at the ruck may make it easier for skilled dummy half runners to eat up metres - Priddis, Buderus and Farrah being obvious players to take advantage here. However this didn't seem to occur during the Foundation Cup match.
Anderson's time off in the past few years may have allowed him to see the game from a different angle and sharpen his coaching pencil. We wait in anticipation to see what other new tricks he has up his sleeve.
With coaches always under such intense pressure, it's seems for Anderson "a change is as good as a holiday" - or maybe it should be "a holiday is as good as a change?"
