Cross-Kick Chaos

Ahead of the first test on June 24th, you can guarantee that the Lions coaches and analysts will have poured over every last detail of the All Blacks gameplay since the World Cup, and a fair amount before then too. However, there is one play, one weapon, one devastating skill the Kiwi's seem to have that is making a mockery of all attempts to stop it. The cross-kick or kick pass has proven to be lethal in this season's Super Rugby, especially at the hands of All Blacks king-in Beauden Barrett. Just take a glance at the compilation video put together by the All Blacks Youtube Channel below:

Not too long ago cross kicks like that were considered a high-risk low-return play, something you'd only attempt if you had the security of a penalty advantage. To some extent, this still holds in the majority of the rugby world, especially the northern hemisphere, where teams are obsessed with maintaining control of the ball or winning the territory battle. New Zealand however have - over the last few years - turned the concept into just yet another tool by which they can unpick an opposition defence. So what are the benefits, and how do the Lions go about defending it?

It's all about space

Beauden Barrett is the king of the cross kick this season.

In an interview with Newshub Beauden Barrett explained the consistent use of the kick play this season, by Wellington-based Hurricanes, by stating it is simply about getting the ball into space - wherever it is. A simple statement that makes so much sense you wonder why it's taken this long to see kick passes become a regular thing. Coaches are always talking about earning the right to go defence - Gatland himself is a big advocate of this methodology. However, we see the Hurricanes (and other Kiwi Super Rugby teams) often using the plot from first phase ball.
wide, and sucking in the

The point is while there is credence behind the "earn the right" mentality, it has to be teamed with the concept of, if space is already there use it. The ability of Barrett to assess the defence quickly means he can figure out where space is and execute the necessary play to exploit weaknesses. If that space happens to be on the touchline then he will kick the ball into the area and trust his wingers that they will produce the goods.

Precision & Positioning

It's all very well being able to assess that there is space in the wide channels, it is another thing entirely to be able to exploit it. It is a two-part formula to succeed in using the kick-pass, firstly you need to have a kicker who can pull off the necessary punt. Initially, you've got to put the ball in the (maximum) 10x10m space which will be there, just behind the defensive line but in front of the deep sitting winger. It is a pretty precise bit of skill that will be produced under pressure from rushing defence. Combine the accuracy with the trajectory that is required and difficult steps up yet another notch. In order to give your chaser - who we will come on to next - control of the situatio, the ball has to beat the cover for speed, which means that the kick has to be low, flat, and hard. Doing so means that the centres can't cover across to meet the catcher and the winger can't eat up the ground from his deeper position.

Cory Jane is one of the best at winning cross-kicks.

So assuming you've got the player who can pull of the necessary kick, now you need the player underneath the ball who understand their part to play. If a team has this weapon in their arsenal you want your winger (or whoever is in the area) to be standing as close to the touchline as possible. It means one of two things are going to happen. Either it stretches the opposition defence which opens up holes in the centre field, or the player is often left unguarded which produces the chance for a cross-kick. With positioning sorted and the ball in the air the wide player then needs to complete the move. Timing their run so they hit the ball at full speed means the defence can't prevent the line break, alternatively if the kick doesn't allow to take the ball on the run the winger needs to stay on his feet long enough for his support to arrive.

The second situation can actually be more dangerous to defences, if the catcher can attract two or three covering defenders and then produce and offload it's likely that the support runner will make huge gains or walk over the try line. Which brings us to the final point.

How do you stop it?

By the looks of it, you don't when Beauden Barrett is doing it. 

Honestly though, the prevention of this play comes from your wingers and outside centre. It is the winger's job to mark up against the widest player in opposition attack, whilst sitting deeper than the rest of the defensive line. They should be watching the actions of the opponent looking for the signal for a cross-kick while relaying this information to the player inside him - often the 13 - so they're aware that the kick is coming. 

Jonathan Joseph certainly has the speed to deal with
cross kicks, he'll have to team that with brains.

In my opinion, though the outside centre is the player most responsible for killing the move if it is brought into play. They're the person who has to cover across, tracking the flight of the ball, so they can get to the catcher. It is likely that the winger will be the first man to the tackle at which point the 13 has to use a bit of intelligence. If the catcher is already being tackled then the addition of an extra player is unlikely to play and outcome in the result - unless he can wrap the ball up and deny an offload at source. Instead, what the centre should be looking to do is prevent an offload by preparing to engage with any support runners, or should be hunting for the ball at the breakdown looking to enforce a turnover before support can clear him off. The likes of Brian O'Driscoll was a master at this with enough pace to cover the ground and enough skill and bravery to win the ball. 

If the Lions want to prevent the All Blacks from tearing them apart with a Barrett cross-kick this is something that the two Jonathan's (Davies & Joseph) are going to have to work on. Additionally, it should be noted that the Lions can't attempt to simply defend wider than usual because that is then how Beauden Barrett uses his speed off the mark to slice straight through the middle of the park. There is a fine balance to be met, and the Lions are going to have to work damn hard in training to pull it off.