The following analysis of the scoring of tries by SA franchises is an indication of what is essentially a serious problem in SA Rugby:-
Sharks
Total tries scored - 15
Backline Tries - 8
Forward Tries - 7
Of the 8 backline tries 2 were scored by Jordaan, 1 was by Lambie and 1 was by Reinach - all three players who have not played for the last number of rounds. All the other backline players cvombined scored 4 tries in 7 matches. If it is borne in mind that Israel Folau on his own scored 8 tries for the Waratahs and only played in 4 matches - it showed how inadequate the try scoring abilities of the Sharks really are and how inadewaute their backline really is.is.
Much is made of the Sharks forwards - but they really are not up to much in the tryscoring steaks as well and from this perspective it really is also a problem.
Bulls
Total tries scored - 13
Backline Tries - 7
Forward Tries - 6
From a try scoring perspective a miserable performance. The boot of Potgieter saved them from serious embarrassment in most matches they played in. TThe tryscoring abilities of their backline is seriously defective.
Lions
Total tries scored - 12
Backline Tries - 10
Forward Tries - 2
Rge Lions backline showed more penetration than either of the Sharks or the Bulls can manage. Their forwards are not strong enough to really make an impression.
Cheetahs
Total tries scored - 21
Backline Tries - 13
Forward Tries - 8
What is interesting here is that of the 8 forward tries scored 6 were by their loosies - who linked up wirh their backline to score tries.
From a try scoring perspective the Cheetahs lead the SA franchises by their ability to score tries - especially backline tries. However, their defense let them down -hence their string of losses.
The fact that their loosies and backline scored more tries than the other times combined is an indication that at least from a tryscoring perspective they have the right recipe.
Stormers
Tries scored - 9
Backline Tries - 5
Forward Tries - 4
A dismal performance to say the least Of the 5 backline tries De Allende scored 2 - the rest combined could manage only 3 tries.
SUMMARY
Tries scored - 70
Backline Tries - 43 = 6 1,4%
Forward Tries - 27 = 38.6%
Of the 43 backline tries scored 25 (58%) were scored by the Lions and Cheetahs. The fact that the other three franchises combined could only score 18 backline tries in 23 matches played - and 4 of those came in one match played by the Sharks indicates a horror story of unbelievable proportions.
From a try scoring perspective the Sharks, Bulls and Stormers backlines are disgracefully poor. This is a bad sign for SA rugby as a whole and we need backline players with skills badly - the big bulk type slow in speed and thinking players are basically not an answer to the problem.
